Raising Voice Against Injustice Is the True Spirit of Labour Day, Says Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch

Turbat: Former Chief Minister of Balochistan and leader of the National Party, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, said that the real purpose of Labour Day is to raise a voice against ظلم, injustice, and exploitation, while addressing a May 1 event in Turbat.
The ceremony, organized by National Party Kech, was also attended by Senator Jan Muhammad Baloch and presided over by district president Younis Javed.
Dr. Malik said that workers’ movements have historically led to major global changes, referring to revolutions such as the Bolshevik and Chinese revolutions. He expressed concern that labourers and unions are increasingly being deprived of their right to protest, stressing that speaking out against ظلم is a responsibility of every conscious citizen.
He also raised concerns over alleged enforced disappearances and arrests, including those of student activist Babal Malik Baloch and Khadija Pir Muhammad, stating that such incidents reflect ongoing challenges in the region.
Senator Jan Muhammad Baloch highlighted that despite constitutional guarantees and international labour commitments, workers in Pakistan continue to face exploitation and economic hardship. He noted that the minimum wage remains insufficient to sustain a family, while many in the private sector earn even less.
Criticizing economic policies, he said heavy taxation on petroleum and payments to independent power producers (IPPs) are placing a burden on the public. He also pointed to unequal distribution of resources under mechanisms such as NFC and projects like Saindak as contributing to unrest.
Leaders further stated that closure of border trade has severely impacted livelihoods, with millions of families affected and pushed toward poverty.
Other speakers, including legal experts, labour representatives, and political activists, emphasized key labour issues such as fair wages, working hours, post-retirement security, and social protection. They called for restoration of workers’ rights, payment of allowances such as the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA), and an end to policies they described as anti-labour.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment to continue the struggle for workers’ rights and social justice, with participation from various political, social, and labour organizations.