The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised serious concerns about the proposed Punjab Labour Code 2025, warning that it could significantly undermine fundamental labour protections and workers' rights in the province.
Major Concerns About Worker Rights Erosion
In a strongly worded statement released recently, the HRCP highlighted that the new labour code appears designed to dismantle existing protections for workers rather than strengthen them. The commission expressed particular alarm about provisions that could extend maximum work hours and dilute mechanisms for resolving labour disputes.
The HRCP specifically warned that the proposed legislation might weaken trade unions and collective bargaining power, making it increasingly difficult for workers to organize and advocate for their rights effectively. This development comes at a time when labour rights organizations have been pushing for stronger, not weaker, protections for Pakistan's workforce.
Key Problematic Provisions Identified
Among the most concerning aspects of the proposed code are measures that could potentially extend working hours beyond reasonable limits, reducing the work-life balance for employees across Punjab. The HRCP also flagged provisions that might make it easier for employers to terminate workers without adequate due process or compensation.
The commission emphasized that the new legislation appears to prioritize employer interests over worker welfare, creating an imbalance that could lead to exploitation and unfair labour practices. This represents a significant departure from international labour standards that Pakistan has committed to upholding.
Call for Comprehensive Review and Stakeholder Consultation
The HRCP has demanded an immediate and thorough review of the proposed Punjab Labour Code 2025 before it moves forward. The commission stressed the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders, particularly workers' representatives and labour rights organizations, in the legislative process.
Transparent and inclusive consultations are essential to ensure that any new labour legislation actually protects workers' rights rather than diminishing them, the HRCP noted. The commission urged provincial authorities to reconsider the proposed changes and align them with constitutional guarantees of dignity and social justice.
This warning from Pakistan's leading human rights organization comes amid growing concerns about workers' rights across the region. The outcome of this legislative process could set important precedents for labour protections not only in Punjab but potentially throughout Pakistan.
