Package
for corporate farming sector soon
ISLAMABAD (July 18 2002) : The government has decided in
principle to extend labour laws to the corporate farming
sector to make this concept a success in Pakistan.
A package, which Food Minister, Khair Muhammad Junejo said,
would be announced shortly, provides insurance cover to the
corporate farming labour in case of any accident or mishap.
Fixation of working hours, minimum wages, medical facility and
other benefits available to the labour in other sectors are
the main features of the package.
A high-level meeting discussed the pros and cons of the
package here on Tuesday.
Food Minister, Khair Muhammad Junejo, Labour Minister, Owais
Ghani, Chairman Board of Investment, Waseem Haqqie and
concerned senior federal and provincial officials attended the
meeting.
Talking to Business Recorder, Junejo said the meeting
discussed labour laws in depth and recommended that all
benefits available to the labour of other sectors should be
extended to corporate farming community. He added that this
sector needs special focus to get roots in Pakistan.
The minister believes that with extending labour laws to the
corporate farming, this sector would become organised and pay
better dividend to the nation.
The government is promoting the concept of corporate farming
in Pakistan with an objective to increase agricultural
production but the small farmers have been opposing it terming
this mode of agriculture against their interest. The
government is using various channels to address their
apprehensions.
Responding to a query, the minister said corporate farming
would bring a radical change in Pakistan and help fight out
poverty from the farming community, which deserve better
return of their hard labour.
He added that the consultation process would be completed
within one month and it would follow formal announcement of
package for corporate labour.
Courtesy Business Recorder
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