ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has said that millions of workers in the country are forced to make difficult choices between buying food for their families or paying electricity bills due to low wages.
The organisation urged the government to give serious attention to workers’ rights in the upcoming budget.
In its latest report titled From Survival to Dignity: The Case for a Living Wage, the HRCP said that a six-member household in Pakistan needs more than Rs 75,000 per month to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and education.
In spite of that, many employees are underpaid and have difficulties covering important expenses.
Some are put in the unfortunate position of deciding which is more important: supporting their families or keeping up with routine living costs
The report stressed that the focus should not only be on the minimum wage but on ensuring a “living wage”, that is a wage that supports a life of dignity.
HRCP backed its position with Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that every working individual has the right to fair and favourable remuneration that guarantees a life of dignity for themselves and their family.
As the government prepares to present the new federal budget, the report said wage policies should reflect this principle.
It added that full-time workers deserve a life that includes safety, good health, and hope for the future.
