Senate passes Industrial Relations Bill, missing persons resolution

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed the Industrial Relations Bill 2012, to ensure more rights to laborers as members foresaw better industrial and economic development after enactment of this bill.

Prof Khursheed Ahmed of Jamat-e-Islami tabled the resolution regarding the recovery of missing persons, which was also adopted by the House unanimously.

The resolution said: "Every citizen is innocent until the crime is proved. It is illegal to detain an innocent person and the act is violation of Article 09 and 10 of Constitution of Pakistan".

It was Senator Raza Rabbani to once again raise his voice for the rights of workers and bear the torch for strong trade union culture who presented this private member bill, probably going to be the best and the last piece of legislation for the incumbent House.

Members across the isle supported the bill as members from each and every political party in the House eulogizing this workers welfare oriented bill by Rabbani.

Be it the ruling coalition or the opposition members, none rose against the bill instead they proposed some improvement and urged the government to ensure its effective implementation to benefit the poor laborer in true essence of the bill.

Apprising the House about the bill, Rabbani mentioned to dictatorial regime of Pervez Musharraf when the earlier existing law was amended through an ordinance and later made the party of 17th amendment.

"It was part of international agenda and a conspiracy against the rights of workers," Rabbani mentioned to changes in this bill during Musharraf regime.

He had tongue in cheek when talked of the government responsibilities and remarked, "I failed to understand why the government not moved this bill."

He also appreciated the input and contribution of all political parties and said other stakeholders were also consulted in finalizing the bill.

Leader of the House, Nayyer Hussain Bokhari said the PPPP government always endeavored to ensure a balance between the employer and the employees and this bill will further promote harmony.

He appreciated Raza Rabbani and the role of the opposition parties and hoped, it will prove to be a milestone in industrial development in the country.

Leader of the Opposition, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said this law will encourage the laborers to work hard and contribute to nation building.

He also proposed shares for laborers in the industry to promote a sense of ownership among them.

Senators Babar Awan of PPPP, Prof Khursheed Ahmed of JI, Haji Adeel and Afrasiab Khattak of ANP, Tahir Mashhadi and Abdul Haseeb Khan of MQM, Abdul Rahim Mandokhel of PKMAP, Islamil Buledi of JUI-F, Saleem Saifullah of PML (Likeminded) and Kulsoom Perveen of BNP-A among others appreciated Raza Rabbani and the bill.

The members had unanimity of thought to say that the bill will pave way towards better rights to workers and contribute towards better relations between the employers and the employees as well as industrial growth in the country.

The outgoing Senator, Prof Khursheed Ahmed once again reminded the government of its responsibilities to get the laws implemented in letter and spirit. "We have the best pieces of legislation. But most often fail during the implementation phase."

He mentioned to exemption given to four institutions and demanded that there should be no 'sacred cows' and if these institutions cannot be brought within the ambit of this law, some specific laws be enacted for them to protect the rights of their employees.

Pakistan has ratified ILO Convention no 87 on Freedom of Association and Convention no 98 on Right to Organize and collective bargaining.

This law will also help consolidate and rationalize the law relating to formation of trade unions and federations of trade unions, determining the collective bargaining agents, regulation of relations between employers and workers, the avoidance and settlement of any differences or disputes arising between them or matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto.

However, the bill shall not be applicable to (i) Police, (ii) Defense Services or installations connected to Armed Forces; in the administration of State other than those employed as workmen; (iii) on the members of the security staff of the Pakistan International Airlines or drawing wages in pay group not lower than group V; and (iv) at Pakistan Security Printing Corporation or the Security Papers Limited and by an establishment or institution for the treatment or care of sick, infirm, destitute or mentally unfit persons excluding those being run on commercial basis.