CM Maryam orders to construct 1,224 flats for labourers

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday ordered her administration to construct 1,224 free-of-cost flats for labourers.

She also directed the authorities to clear the dues of workers.

Along with the provision of shelter, the provincial cabinet made more decisions in the meeting chaired by CM Maryam.

The flats will be given to the labourers in Taxila and Sundar colonies, and "not a single penny will be taken for the flats".

Addressing the meeting, Punjab's first woman CM directed the concerned department to pay all the dues of labourers, as the Punjab government owed Rs6 billion to them in the form of "death and marriage grants".

The grant to 29,000 workers had been delayed since the last PML-N's tenure.

On the direction of CM Punjab, the meeting also approved a grant for establishing two hostels for women in Garments City, which would accommodate at least 704 women in Sheikhupura.

The meeting was briefed on the labourers' performance and reviewed the worker scholarship programme, construction of labourer colonies, and labourer health feasibility programme. 

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's daughter advised reforms in labour laws related to occupational safety, health, and minimum wage law. 

"The Punjab government has fixed minimum wages at Rs37,000 monthly, and it is our responsibility to protect all," she said.

The CM also advised the implementation of safety protocols and SOPs in the workplace.