CM Maryam reaffirms commitment to workers’ rights, welfare

• Punjab CM marks Labour Day with renewed focus on workers’ rights and welfare

• Says over 1.4m workers to receive Rs3,000 monthly subsidy via ration cards, housing drive expands

• Launches ‘Rehmat Card’ with Rs5 billion support for 50,000 widows and orphans

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday paid glowing tribute to workers, miners and labourers across the world, acknowledging their dignity and vital contributions to society, and reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to improving their standard of living and promoting prosperity, according to a DGPR handout.

In her special message on Labour Day, the chief minister extended particular appreciation to working women, recognising their role as the economic backbone of their families and lauding their resilience and struggle.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY

"A healthy and safe worker builds a strong nation."

-Maryam Nawaz Sharif pic.twitter.com/WjdayUN6XB

— PMLN (@pmln_org) May 1, 2026

She stressed the need to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, access to healthcare facilities and quality education for the children of labourers.

“Labourers are friends of Allah, and we honour and respect them,” she remarked.

CM Punjab said ration cards along with a monthly subsidy of Rs3,000 were being provided to over 1.4 million workers across the province.

She added that under ongoing housing initiatives, labourers were being provided with ready-built flats to help them become homeowners.

The chief minister said free medical treatment was being provided daily to millions of workers at social security hospitals and dispensaries. She noted that 750 flats had already been handed over to workers, while an additional 1,872 flats would be provided soon.

She further announced that a bachelor hostel for 700 workers was being established at Quaid-i-Azam Business Park, Sheikhupura.

The chief minister said Maryam Nawaz Vigilance Centres and teleclinics were also being established for labourers, while an Occupational Safety and Health Management Centre would soon be launched at Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital.

She added that marriage grants for workers had been increased from Rs400,000 to Rs600,000, while death grants had been raised from Rs800,000 to Rs1 million.

She further noted that, for the first time, a “Gosha-e-Mazdoor” had been established in Lahore, providing a dedicated resting place for daily wage earners seeking work.

CM lauds security forces for foiling infiltration attempt

Meanwhile, the chief minister expressed gratitude to the security forces for foiling an infiltration attempt by Fitna al-Khawarij at the Pak-Afghan border.

She paid tribute to the security personnel for eliminating 13 militants who were attempting to infiltrate into Mohmand and North Waziristan from Afghanistan.

‘Rehmat Card’ programme for widows and orphans launched

In a related development, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the “CM Punjab Rehmat Card” programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at providing structured financial assistance to widows and orphaned children in the province.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has digitally inaugurated Pakistan’s first Rahmat Card Program. pic.twitter.com/vQNyXwqO1y

— PMLN (@pmln_org) May 1, 2026

The chief minister digitally inaugurated the programme. During a detailed briefing, Special Assistant Rashid Iqbal Nasrullah informed that a record Rs5 billion has been allocated from the provincial Zakat Fund for the initiative.

Under the programme, 50,000 widows and orphaned children will receive financial assistance of Rs100,000 each.

Only Shariah-eligible Muslim widows and orphaned children entitled to Zakat will qualify for the scheme, while government employees, pensioners and Sahib-e-Nisab individuals will not be eligible.

Applications can be submitted through the official web portal and mobile application, while further details.