| Case ID |
31a4d3a5-1ac0-4e2f-82e3-15b093f5e08c |
| Body |
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| Case Number |
Civil Petitions Nos. 523 and 524-K of 1993 |
| Decision Date |
Mar 02, 1994 |
| Hearing Date |
|
| Decision |
The Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed the petitions challenging the provisions of the West Pakistan Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers (Amendment) Act, 1993. The court found that the revision of minimum wages from Rs. 140 to Rs. 1,500 was justified after more than two decades of stagnation in wages for unskilled workers. It stated that the legislature intended to provide benefits to unskilled workers and that the retrospective application of the law did not infringe upon any rights of the petitioners. The court emphasized that the increase in wages was not arbitrary and that the criteria for determining the beneficiaries were established by the government. The court concluded that the increase in wages was reasonable and lawful, thus dismissing the petitioners' claims of violation of fundamental rights. |
| Summary |
This case revolves around the challenge to the West Pakistan Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers (Amendment) Act, 1993, which raised the minimum wage for unskilled workers significantly after decades of stagnation. The petitioners argued that the retrospective effect of this increase violated their fundamental rights under the Constitution of Pakistan. However, the Supreme Court upheld the amendment, stating that the legislature's intention was to enhance the welfare of unskilled workers. The decision highlighted the importance of legislative measures in addressing wage issues and the necessity of ensuring fair compensation for labor. The ruling emphasized that the revisions were lawful and aimed at providing necessary benefits to a historically underpaid workforce, reinforcing the government's responsibility to protect labor rights. This case contributes to the evolving discourse on minimum wage laws in Pakistan and the balance between employer obligations and worker rights. |
| Court |
Supreme Court of Pakistan
|
| Entities Involved |
THE FEDERATION OF PAKISTAN,
ANNOOR TEXTILE MILLS LTD.
|
| Judges |
AJMAL MIAN,
SAJJAD ALI SHAH,
SALEEM AKHTAR
|
| Lawyers |
Mansoor Ahmad Khan,
Mrs. Majida Razvi
|
| Petitioners |
,
ANNOOR TEXTILE MILLS LTD.
|
| Respondents |
THE FEDERATION OF PAKISTAN,
|
| Citations |
1994 SLD 691,
1994 PLC 388
|
| Other Citations |
Messrs Kasturi Lal Lakshmi Reddy etc. v. The State of Jammu and Kashmir and another AIR 1980 SC 1992
|
| Laws Involved |
West Pakistan Minimum Wages Ordinance (XXXIX of 1961),
Constitution of Pakistan (1973)
|
| Sections |
6,
2(8),
4,
8,
12,
18,
23,
24,
25
|