ISLAMABAD: Speakers from various labour unions, advocacy groups, and policy think-tank expressed concern over the continued marginalisation of Pakistan’s 76 million-strong labour force in Budget 2025-26, calling for urgent reforms and a unified national strategy to secure their rights.

The speakers, gathered at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) seminar criticised the budget for ignoring labour rights.

Editor Publications at SDPI Saleem Khilji opened the dialogue by contextualising the historical trajectory of labour rights, stating that while the communist revolution had historically secured major gains for the working class, such momentum has long eroded.

“There is now a dire need for new strategies, unity among unions, and an openhearted review of the current state of labour issues,” he emphasized. Dr Shafqat Munir, Deputy Executive Director of SDPI, pointed out a stark disconnect between government revenue........

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