AJK marks Labour Day with call to link wages to gold value

MIRPUR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2026) Azad Jammu and Kashmir observed International Labour Day with rallies and ceremonies across the region, where labour leaders demanded a significant increase in wages, proposing that minimum pay be aligned with the market value of 10 grams of gold, alongside stronger welfare measures to uplift workers’ living standards.

Speakers at a large May Day rally in Mirpur said the working class—considered the backbone of society—continues to face economic hardship and requires immediate relief. Similar events were held across all ten districts, including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh and Bhimber, where participants renewed their commitment to safeguarding labour rights and improving socio-economic conditions for workers.

Paying tribute to the martyrs of the Haymarket affair in Chicago, speakers highlighted the historic struggle of workers who sacrificed their lives in 1886 for labour rights. They stressed that the observance of May Day serves as a reminder to continue that mission by ensuring dignity, fair wages, and protection for labourers worldwide.

At a ceremony held at the local press club in Mirpur, speakers also reiterated solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and pledged to carry forward the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives for justice and rights. Labour organisations displayed posters across key city areas, including Shaheed Chowk, reinforcing demands for wage reforms and comprehensive welfare initiatives for the working class.

APP/ahr/378