A worker is a worker who performs physical labor (construction, industrial, or in the fields) in exchange for wages. This class is the basis of economic development, which is celebrated as “International Labor Day” on May 1 in memory of the struggle of the Chicago martyrs. The dignity of the worker, fair wages, and protection of rights are social responsibilities.
Important details about the worker:
A laborer is anyone performing unskilled or semi-skilled manual work, including construction, load lifting, or factory tasks.
Human advancement depends on the persistent effort of workers.
International Workers’ Day (1 May): International Workers’ Day is celebrated around the world on 1 May, commemorating the struggle and martyrdom of the Chicago workers in 1886, who sacrificed for an 8-hour workday. Social Status and Challenges: Workers often belong to the lower classes of society. They face exploitation in the capitalist system.
Situation in Pakistan: Many workers in Pakistan are forced to work for less than the fixed minimum wage and suffer economic hardship.
Literary and Cultural Aspects:
Urdu poetry highlights the labor of the worker, his suffering and social condition, as Allama Iqbal said: “Hin talkh behat banda mazaur ke khabar”.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressed a special event held in Islamabad on the occasion of International Workers’ Day (1 May 2026), the aim of which was to acknowledge the key role of workers in the country’s development and reiterate the government’s commitment to protecting their rights.
The main points of the Prime Minister’s address are as follows:
Wage increase and relief: The Prime Minister announced that the government will further increase the minimum wage of workers in the upcoming budget and introduce a special relief package to protect them from the effects of inflation.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): He emphasized that for the first time in Pakistan, workers are benefiting from the “National Occupational Safety and Health Profile” (OSH Profile), which is an important step to ensure their safety and health at the workplace.
Skill Development: The Prime Minister expressed his determination to train the youth and workers in modern-day skills so that they can gain a better position in the global labor market. Social Security and Reforms: He directed the relevant institutions (EOBI and Workers Welfare Fund) to bring transparency in the provision of housing, education, and health facilities to the workers and to expedite their welfare. Compliance with international laws: During his address, he reiterated that Pakistan is bound by the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the protection of the fundamental rights of workers is part of the Constitution of Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated a five-year ‘Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Program’ for low-income people across the country, under which 500,000 houses will be built at a cost of Rs 3.2 trillion. The government says that this project will not only solve the housing problem but will also promote employment and industrial activities in the economy. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has declared this project as one of the government’s top priorities. According to him, this program has been introduced for people who have been deprived of building their own homes due to a lack of financial resources. Terming this initiative as the responsibility of the state, the Prime Minister said that home ownership is the fundamental right of every citizen. He said that this program will be implemented in all four provinces of the country, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The question arises as to what the details of this scheme are, and when it will start. What are the eligibility conditions, and how can one get a loan to build one’s own home?
Start and duration of the program
The duration of this project is five years. It has been formally launched, and the process of receiving applications has started on April 29.
Under this program, the government will provide loans for 500,000 homes in the next five years, while a target of 50,000 homes has been set in the first year, and up to 20 years will be given to repay this loan.
Under this scheme, you can get a loan of up to Rs 1 crore. You will have to pay at least 10 percent of the total cost of the house yourself; the rest will be given by the bank in the form of a loan.
The loan amount under this program has been divided into four different sections (slabs) so that each class can benefit according to their needs and capacity:
First tier: Up to Rs 25 lakh.
Second tier: Up to Rs 50 lakh.
Third tier: Up to Rs 75 lakh.
Fourth tier: Up to Rs 1 crore.
It is also important to remember that the bank will give you a loan of up to 90 percent of the total cost of the house, while you will have to pay the remaining 10 percent. For example, if you want to buy a house worth Rs 50 lakh, the bank will give you Rs 45 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh will be from your own pocket.
What type of house can be bought?
With the money received from this scheme, you can buy a ready-made house, flat, or apartment. With this money, you can either build a house on your plot or buy a plot and build your house on it. 1. New House.
You can buy a new house in any housing scheme or city. The condition is that the total area of the house does not exceed 10 marla (2720 sq ft).
2. Apartment or Flat
You can buy a flat in any building. The area limit for this is 1500 sq ft.
3. Construction of a plot
If you already have your own plot, you can take a loan for the construction cost to build a house on it.
4. Purchase and construction of a plot
You can get a loan for both the purchase of a plot and the construction of a house on it.
However, there are certain conditions for all these loans. The eligibility criteria for this program have been kept simple so that as many people as possible can benefit.
Eligibility Conditions
To benefit from this program, the applicant must be a Pakistani citizen and must have a National Identity Card. This facility is only for those who are buying a house for the first time.
The minimum age of the applicant is 20 years, and the maximum is 65 years (or retirement age), while the minimum monthly income should be Rs. 40,000.
At least 6 months of continuous experience is required for employed persons, and at least 2 years of business experience is required for business persons.
Moreover, close relatives can be included as co-applicants, which will make it easier to get a loan by combining the total income.
The bank will review your monthly income and expenses to ensure that you will be able to pay the monthly installments easily.
Who will own the house?
After joining this scheme, the ownership of the house will be in your name. The bank will provide money to buy or build a property in your name, so your name will be listed on the registry or allotment letter.
Although the house will be in your name, the legal procedure will be as follows until the loan is fully repaid:
The bank will keep the original documents of the house as collateral. This is called ‘foreclosure’ in legal language. The bank’s lien will be registered on the property documents, which means that you cannot sell the house to anyone else until you pay off all the loan installments.
As soon as you pay off the entire loan amount and markup in 20 years (or earlier), the bank will issue you a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC), and your original documents will be handed over to you. After this, the bank’s right will end, and the house will come under your complete independent ownership.
According to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, this scheme is not just for providing houses but will also increase employment in the country, speed up construction work, and benefit the economy.
The government says that this program will be available throughout Pakistan, including all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, so that more people can benefit from this facility.
He gave a message to the banks, saying that the banks that will go ahead in serving the people in this program will be awarded national awards, while strict action will be taken against those who are negligent.
How to apply?
A dedicated government web portal will be activated soon to apply for the ‘Apna Ghar Scheme’, through which online applications can be submitted.
Approaching the bank
You can also get the form by visiting your nearest commercial bank, Islamic bank, or house building finance company branch.
Required documents
At the time of application, you must have the original identity card, proof of income (salary slip or business details), and, if there is space, your papers.
Processing time
According to the government, the bank will be obliged to approve within one month after the application is submitted.
There is no processing fee for this scheme. Most banks have issued special helpline numbers for this program. You can call the helpline of your preferred bank and speak directly to a representative to find out how much loan you can get based on your income.
Salient features of the program
A maximum of Rs. 1 crore can be financed under this scheme, while the applicant will have to pay at least 10 percent of the property value himself.
The loan tenure will be a maximum of 20 years, while the interest rate has been fixed at 5 percent for the first 10 years; the interest rate for the next 10 years will be based on the market rate (Kybor and the bank’s marginal profit).
A limit has been set for the size of the house, according to which a house up to 10 marla or a flat up to 1500 square feet will be included in this scheme, while no limit has been set for the property value.
The government says that this project will not only provide shelter to millions of people but will also boost economic activities on a large scale by mobilizing the construction sector in the country. At the end of his address, the Prime Minister paid tribute to all the workers and called them the “main driver” of the country’s economic development.
Labor Day is celebrated every year on May 1st across the world, including Pakistan. In the year 2026, this day falls on a Friday, due to which a three-day long weekend of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is being celebrated across the country. The federal and provincial governments have declared May 1st a public holiday across the country. On this occasion, all government and private institutions, educational institutions, and all banks, including the State Bank of Pakistan, will remain closed.
Global Theme:
The theme chosen by the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the year 2026 is “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment”.The aim is to focus on mental stress and mental health protection during work. Events and Rallies: Labor unions and organizations are organizing seminars and rallies in major cities of the country to pay tribute to the Chicago martyrs and demand workers’ rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions.
Historical Background:
This day is celebrated in memory of the struggle of workers in the American city of Chicago in 1886, where they sacrificed their lives for 8-hour working hours instead of 16 hours a day. May 1 was first officially declared a public holiday in 1972 under the first labor policy in Pakistan.
The Government of Pakistan and the provincial governments have taken several steps for the welfare and economic relief of the workers in 2026, the details of which are as follows:
1. Increase in wages and pensions:
The federal government has increased the minimum wage to Rs 37,000. In Punjab, Maryam Nawaz’s government has issued notifications to increase it to Rs 40,000.
EOBI Pension: The minimum pension for retired workers has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,500. The formula-based pension has also been increased by 15 percent, which will enable long-serving workers to get a pension of up to Rs 30,000. Punjab Labor Card is a smart card issued in collaboration with Bank of Punjab and Social Security Institution (PESSI). The following benefits are provided under this: Cash Grants: Financial assistance in case of marriage, maternity, and death. Health: Free treatment in designated PESSI hospitals across Punjab. Education: Annual stipends and free educational facilities for the children of laborers. Discounts: 5% to 30% discount on utility stores and specific grocery outlets. 3. Benazir Income Support Program Kafalat Wazifa: Quarterly stipend for registered eligible families has been increased from Rs. 13,500 to Rs. 14,500 to reduce the impact of inflation.
Financial assistance is being provided under ‘Benazir Educational Wazifa’ for the children of laborers. Additional assistance of up to Rs. 2,500 per quarter for the food of pregnant women and children. Monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 for 1.25 million low-income families and a concession on flour, sugar, ghee, etc. Shelter Homes: Ehsaas Mazdoor Shelter and free table service for laborers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab continue. The government has now decided to extend the scope of EOBI and social security to agriculture, domestic workers, and the informal sector so that workers in these sectors can also get a pension and medical facilities. The Government of Pakistan and the provincial governments have introduced several labor-friendly policies for the welfare of laborers in 2026. These measures are aimed at reducing the impact of inflation and providing social security to the working class.
The details of the important measures are as follows:
Increase in wages and financial assistance: In view of inflation, the minimum wage has been increased from Rs 37,000 to Rs 40,000 (depending on the provinces).
Benazir Kafalat Program:
The quarterly stipend for laboring families has been increased to over Rs. 13,500 to provide financial assistance to the poorest section. The government has provided huge discounts on flour, ghee, and sugar to 12.5 million families through ration cards. This is a revolutionary step through which laborers have been linked to banks. Through this card: Free treatment in social security hospitals. Special discounts at private hospitals and stores. Immediate payment of the marriage grant and the death grant.
Increase in pension: The pension of retired private sector workers has been increased from 15% to 20% to improve the livelihood of old workers.
Education Labor Colonies: The process of construction and allotment of low-cost flats and houses for industrial workers has been accelerated in cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Scholarships for children of laborers: The government is paying the full cost of higher education and technical education, and scholarships for the children of laborers under the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF).
4. Legal Reforms: The ‘Health and Safety’ laws have been further tightened to ensure a safe working environment in factories and industries. For the first time, registration has started to bring domestic workers and agricultural workers under the ambit of social security. Life insurance and legal aid packages have been introduced for workers going abroad. Quota for children of overseas Pakistanis: Seats have been reserved for children of overseas Pakistanis in vocational educational institutions.
The Government of Pakistan, on the occasion of May 1st, “Labor Day”, in view of the recent crisis in the Middle East (February-April 2026), has announced the following important measures and strategies for the affected workers, especially overseas and returning workers:
1. New Labor Policy for Overseas Pakistanis (2026);
The government has prepared a new strategy to solve the problems arising from the war situation in the Gulf countries and the suspension of flights:
Increasing exports:
The target of labor exports to the Middle East has been increased to 800 million so that employment opportunities remain despite the crisis. Alternative sectors:
Focus is being placed on finding new opportunities in the construction and health sectors. Concessions for women: The minimum age of women for employment abroad has been reduced from 35 to 25 years.
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