# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Minimum wages" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 13th, 2025:* The article highlights the *widespread violation* of *minimum wage laws* in *Pakistan*, particularly in *Sindh province* where the *Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution* admitted that over *80% of industries* have failed to implement the officially notified *minimum wage of Rs37,000 per month*. This violation extends beyond the *industrial sector* to the *services sector*, where the situation is even more alarming as few workers receive minimum wages. The article emphasizes *gender pay disparity*, noting that *women work for less wages* than their *male colleagues* despite putting in equal hours and performing the same jobs. *Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb* acknowledged at a *post-budget press conference* that *industry* and the *private sector* are unwilling to pay minimum wages, offering the weak excuse that the government had not announced increased minimum wages in the new budget. This response demonstrates the *state's helplessness* before employers who ignore the law. The *large-scale informality* in the economy, caused by the lack of credible attempts to document *unregistered businesses*, has deepened the challenge of enforcing minimum wage laws, leaving workers vulnerable to *exploitation*. The article identifies the main cause of non-compliance as the *systematic destruction of trade unions* by the state at employers' behest over the *last four decades*. It criticizes the expectation that *toothless and corrupt provincial employees' social security organizations* can force wealthy employers to comply with minimum wage laws. The enforcement of minimum wages is linked to implementing other *labour laws* and having *active labour unions* that can pressure delinquent employers. The lack of law enforcement, including minimum wage laws, contributes to *poverty and inequality*. The article concludes by suggesting that if authorities can seek *punitive legislation for tax compliance*, they can draft similar bills for minimum wage implementation rather than surrendering to employers' demands. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: Over *80% of Sindh industries* violate the *Rs37,000 minimum wage law*, with the *services sector* and *gender pay gaps* showing worse compliance. *Finance Minister Aurangzeb* admitted the *private sector's unwillingness* to pay minimum wages. The *destruction of trade unions* over *four decades* and *economic informality* have weakened enforcement. The article calls for *punitive legislation* similar to *tax compliance laws* to enforce minimum wages and combat *poverty and inequality*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Strengthen Labour Inspection* Deploy *dedicated labour inspectors* to monitor and enforce *minimum wage compliance* across all sectors. ## *2. Revive Trade Unions* Restore and strengthen *trade union rights* to empower workers and pressure employers for fair wages. ## *3. Document Informal Economy* Register *unregistered businesses* and bring them under formal regulatory frameworks. ## *4. Implement Punitive Legislation* Draft *strict penalty laws* for minimum wage violations similar to *tax compliance legislation*. ## *5. Gender Pay Equality* Enforce *equal pay laws* and conduct regular audits to eliminate *gender wage gaps*. ## *6. Reform Social Security Institutions* Strengthen *provincial employees' social security organizations* and eliminate corruption. ## *7. Regular Wage Reviews* Establish *annual minimum wage reviews* linked to inflation and cost of living adjustments. ## *8. Create Worker Protection Fund* Establish funds to support workers facing *wage theft* and provide legal assistance. ## *9. Public-Private Partnerships* Engage *responsible employers* to create industry standards for fair wage practices. ## *10. Awareness Campaigns* Launch campaigns to educate workers about their *wage rights* and available legal remedies. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - Over *80%* of industries in *Sindh* have not implemented the *minimum wage of Rs37,000 per month*. - *Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution* admitted widespread violation of minimum wage laws. - *Women work for less wages* than male colleagues for equal work and hours. - *Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb* acknowledged private sector unwillingness to pay minimum wages. - *Trade unions* have been systematically destroyed over the *last four decades*. - Article was published in *Dawn on June 13th, 2025*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan's informal economy* accounts for *36.8%* of GDP (*World Bank*, 2024). - Only *12%* of Pakistani workers are covered by *formal employment contracts* (*ILO*, 2024). - *Gender wage gap* in Pakistan is approximately *34%* (*UN Women*, 2024). - *Trade union density* in Pakistan dropped from *5%* to *1.2%* since 1980s (*ILO*, 2023). - *Minimum wage compliance* globally averages *65%* in developing countries (*ILO*, 2024). - Over *50 million* Pakistani workers earn below *poverty line wages* (*Pakistan Bureau of Statistics*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What percentage of industries in Sindh failed to implement minimum wage laws?* A. 70% *B. Over 80%* C. 90% D. 60% ### 2. *What is the officially notified minimum wage in Sindh?* A. Rs35,000 *B. Rs37,000* C. Rs40,000 D. Rs32,000 ### 3. *Who admitted that the private sector is unwilling to pay minimum wages?* A. Sindh Chief Minister *B. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb* C. Labour Minister D. Prime Minister ### 4. *Over how many decades have trade unions been systematically destroyed?* A. Three decades *B. Four decades* C. Five decades D. Two decades ### 5. *What type of legislation does the article suggest for minimum wage enforcement?* A. Administrative legislation *B. Punitive legislation similar to tax compliance* C. Constitutional amendment D. International treaty # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Admission* (اعتراف) – Acknowledgment or confession of truth 2. *Implemented* (نافذ کیا گیا) – Put into effect or executed 3. *Notified* (اطلاع دی گئی) – Officially announced or declared 4. *Breach* (خلاف ورزی) – Violation or breaking of law 5. *Alarming* (خطرناک) – Causing worry or fear 6. *Colleagues* (ساتھی) – Fellow workers or associates 7. *Helplessness* (بے بسی) – State of being unable to help 8. *Hoot* (پروا) – Care or concern (idiom: don't give a hoot) 9. *Informality* (غیر رسمیت) – Lack of official structure 10. *Credible* (قابل اعتماد) – Believable or trustworthy 11. *Exploitation* (استحصال) – Unfair treatment for benefit 12. *Compliance* (تعمیل) – Acting in accordance with rules 13. *Annihilation* (تباہی) – Complete destruction 14. *Behest* (حکم) – Command or urgent request 15. *Toothless* (بے اثر) – Lacking power or effectiveness 16. *Delinquent* (قصوروار) – Failing in duty or obligation 17. *Punitive* (تعزیری) – Intended as punishment 18. *Ceding* (تسلیم کرنا) – Giving up or surrendering 19. *Diktat* (حکم نامہ) – Harsh order or command 20. *Inequality* (عدم مساوات) – Lack of equality or fairness 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Minimum wages* *Editorial* *~3 minutes* THE 'admission' of the Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution that over 80pc of industries had not implemented the officially notified minimum wage of Rs37,000 per month in the province highlights the widespread violation of the law at the expense of millions of workers. However, this breach is not limited to the industrial sector or Sindh. The situation in the services sector, where few are paid minimum wages, is more alarming. Women work for less wages than their male colleagues though they put in an equal number of hours and do the same job. At Wednesday's post-budget press conference, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb himself admitted that industry in particular and the private sector in general are not willing to pay minimum wages. The lame explanation was that the government had not announced increased minimum wages in the new budget. His response underlines the helplessness of the state before employers who do not give a hoot about the law. The large-scale informality in the economy due to the lack of any credible attempt to document unregistered businesses has deepened the challenge of enforcing the minimum wage, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation. But the main reason for non-compliance is the systematic annihilation of trade unions by the state at the behest of employers over the last four decades. Thus it is foolish to expect toothless and corrupt provincial employees' social security organisations to force wealthy employers to implement the minimum wage. Enforcement of the latter across the board is also linked to implementing other labour laws and active labour unions putting pressure on delinquent employers. Overall, the lack of enforcement of laws, including those related to minimum wages, is contributing to poverty and inequality. If the authorities can seek punitive legislation for tax compliance, they can also draft a similar bill for implementation of the minimum wages rather than ceding to employers' diktat. *Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2025*