The Punjab cabinet has approved a plan to provide 1,220 residential flats to industrial workers.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said while presiding over a cabinet meeting, “Workers will get flats in the Labour Complex Sundar, Kasur, and Labour Colony Taxila through balloting.”
She rejected a proposal to collect price of the flats from workers and directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to build 3,000 more apartments for the industrial labourers.
The cabinet also approved an increase in the minimum monthly salary of workers in skilled, semi-skilled and other categories to Rs40,000.
It approved, for the first time in Punjab, comprehensive rules for the safety of workers. The CM said, “Punjab should approve Occupational Safety and Health Rules 2024.”
She directed then authorities concerned to ensure safety of employees working on sewerage lines and at construction sites.
She directed the labour department to form an enforcement force to ensure the safety of workers. She highlighted, “Just making laws is not enough; implementation is necessary at all levels. Lives of poor workers and labourers are also precious. We will ensure their safety at all cost.”
The provincial cabinet also approved the draft of the Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Rules 2024 to prevent child labour.
The chief minister announced a reward of Rs50,000 each for rescue workers performing flood duties. The cabinet lauded Rescue 1122 for flood relief operations after torrential rains.
An allocation of Rs2.6 billion to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) for the rehabilitation of flood-affected people was approved.
It also approved official assessment of grade V and exams of grade VIII students in Punjab.
The provincial cabinet approved lifelong pension to employees’ widows.
The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to establish regular industries for prisoners. She said, “Prisoners working as laborers will also get wages.” She also issued directives to introduce a third-party monitoring system in jails.
She ordered promotion of investment in the province by approving the establishment of petrol pumps upon the submission of six documents instead of the current 16. She said, “Investors will be able to get NOC by applying online.”
The cabinet approved the implementation of a uniform procedure for the appointment of treasurers, registrars and controllers of examinations in government and private universities. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant authorities to take necessary steps for monitoring the audit reports across Punjab. The cabinet agreed to a proposal regarding hiring for the appointment of vice chancellors and a condition of 80% marks.
The CM said an artificial intelligence-based traffic management system would be implemented on the province’s roads within 90 days.
She directed the authorities to ensure immediate implementation of a load management system and approved the establishment of WASA in five divisions. The CM said Water and Sanitation Agencies would be established in 13 more cities.
The cabinet approved paid internships for nurses in government hospitals.
The CM announced that 99% recovery of Kisan Card loans had been achieved in the first phase.
