CM Punjab approves key projects for workers’ welfare

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved significant projects aimed at improving the welfare of workers in the province.

The chief minister has directed the enforcement of the minimum wage law across the province, ensuring that workers receive at least 37,000 rupees per month.

She also called for a comprehensive plan to establish labour colonies throughout Punjab and instructed the revamping of social security hospitals.

Additionally, Maryam Nawaz directed the establishment of wellness centres in Lahore and Rawalpindi/Islamabad for pre-screening, where patients would be referred to larger hospitals after screening.

The Chief Minister has also decided on the construction of the Rahmatul-Lil-Alameen Cardiology Centre with 200 beds on Defence Road in Lahore, and has approved the establishment of a new 50-bed Social Security Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan.

In a consultative meeting with Provincial Minister for Labour, Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Maryam Nawaz instructed amendments to labour laws, with the aim of creating a detailed plan to improve workers’ welfare.

She emphasised that workers are considered friends of God, and the government is committed to making Punjab an exemplary province in terms of workers’ welfare. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure fair wages, medical treatment, better employment, and housing for workers,” she added. “No worker should go to bed hungry, and there should be no sorrow or distress for them. We are also providing better educational opportunities for workers’ children.”

Meanwhile, a new survey has found that a majority of Punjab residents view Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s governance positively, particularly in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while concerns remain over employment and inflation.

The survey, conducted by the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR) across Punjab’s 36 districts, revealed that 62% of respondents rated Maryam Nawaz’s first year in office as “remarkable” in addressing public issues.

In education and healthcare, 73% and 68% of respondents, respectively, rated the provincial government’s performance as “good” or “very good.” However, 63% expressed dissatisfaction with job creation efforts, calling them “poor” or “very poor.