Celebrating Labor day: (Heroes of Everyday)

Contributed by: Saadia Khalid

Labor Day is an annual day off to celebrate the achievements of laborer worldwide. The community of laborers are the most respectable and dignified community of the world and they strongly believed that economic and social sector cannot progress without them.

Unfortunately, the struggles, problems and issues of Laborers in Pakistan receive little attention. This issue is not glamorous enough for the mass media to be highlighted and nor does it drive up ratings. All the political parties are having their own agenda and busy in degrading each other rather than coming up with policies to ease the burden of laborers community. In all fairness, a country in the middle of a battle against violent religious extremism and facing issues like low quality of education and health sector has other priorities. The fact that this Labor Day will be observed like every other public holiday is a sad reflection of our society where everyone is busy in making their lives luxurious and joyous.  

Still with little hope for humanity in our country, some organizations are working for spreading happiness and smiles among deprived ones without any gain.  With this enthusiasm and aim for true happiness, Positive Pakistan Welfare Wing of Lahore Chapter has celebrated the labor day with laborers working at Orange Train Line and pay tribute to their endless struggle and hard work to face the challenges of this harsh world.

When the burning sun is on peak of its revenge in month of May, Lahore team has reached the orange train line construction site in afternoon time to distribute packs of chilled juices, water and biscuits among laborers.  Our team believed that a small positive deed has power to change the world and no matter how small effort is, it can change someone day or life drastically. Similarly, while distributing juices and food, laborers feel pleased that people do care and they come to spend their precious time with them. This small contribution from our side for laborers has definitely give them motivation to work for positivity and source of inspiration for others and their smiles and polite gestures are evidence of this.

Being Muslims, we need to understand that Labor has got lot of importance in Islam. In a Hadith, Holy Prophet (SAW) said “The Labor is the friend of God” it shows that how much importance Islam is giving to the Labor. Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) worked with his own hands. He loved to work with his own hands for himself and for others as well. Islam is against the exploitation of workers. It is in favor of giving wages according to Labor done. Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) said “Give wages to Laborer before his sweat is dried”. Islam also emphasis for lawful earning. And the lawful earning in the eyes of Islam is that which is earned by the hard work, the person who earns his livelihood with Labor of his own is righteous person and rightness person is honorable before Allah almighty. So, it is high time to realize that we should not consider laborers as low class or should not hate them as Labor struggle and rights are critical elements in a society that aspires to move forward, and on this Labor Day, it is pivotal that we remember their sacrifices.