CJP stresses dignity of Labour, legal protection for workers

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st May, 2026) Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, has emphasized that the strength of a nation was measured not merely by its economic growth but by the dignity it affords to its workforce.

In a message on the occasion of International Labour Day on Friday, the Chief Justice stated that International Labour Day invited not only the recognition of workers' contributions but also a reflection on the quality of justice and protection available to those who sustain the national economy. "Our constitutional framework places the dignity of labour at the heart of governance. The guarantees of fair wages, humane working conditions, and social justice are embedded within it as binding commitments," the Chief Justice said.

Justice Afridi noted that these were not abstract ideals but enforceable entitlements that must translate into real safeguards for workers across all sectors. He underscored the central role of the judiciary in ensuring that these protections are not diluted in practice. By interpreting labour laws in a purposive and rights-oriented manner, the courts have contributed to addressing workplace imbalances and curbing exploitative practices, he said.

However, the Chief Justice observed that the task remained ongoing, particularly as new forms of employment and economic organization continued to emerge. "Labour justice must respond to changing realities, including the expansion of informal work, evolving employer-employee relationships, and the growing presence of digital and platform-based employment," he stated. "Judicial and institutional responses must therefore be adaptive, efficient, and grounded in an understanding of these shifting dynamics."

On this occasion, the Chief Justice reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening access to justice in labour matters, promoting timely dispute resolution, and reinforcing protections against forced labour, child labour, and unsafe working environments.

He concluded that a fair and humane labour regime was indispensable to the broader promise of constitutionalism and the rule of law. "May this day serve as a renewed commitment to building a system where every worker is treated with dignity, protected by law, and enabled to contribute to a more just and inclusive society."