Gunmen attacked sleeping laborers in Gwadar, Pakistan, killing seven and injuring one. The victims were from Sahiwal, Punjab. Police are investigating the incident, but no group has claimed responsibility. Similar attacks in the past have been attributed to the Baloch Liberation Army. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region over natural resources and the presence of Chinese-backed projects. Additionally, a man in Gujarat, India, was arrested for alleged espionage.
Laborers, the backbone of production, often toil under challenging conditions, enduring scorching heat, relentless rain, and meager wages. Their invaluable contributions to our daily lives are often unappreciated, particularly those in the unorganized sector. As we observe Labor Day, it’s imperative to recognize their struggles and strive to improve their well-being beyond mere tributes.
Authorities in Patiala are investigating allegations that laborers received payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme without performing any work in a village in the Nabha sub-division. The complaint was filed by Raj Kumar Kansuha, president of the Democratic MGNREGA Front Punjab, who accused the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) and additional program officer (APO) of buying votes for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) by paying wages to numerous laborers in Malkon village in April despite no work being done. Kansuha provided details of the total number of laborers who were paid during the imposition of the poll code, claiming that the online attendance of laborers, which should include their onsite pictures, did not comply with the guidelines. He further alleged that some Rural Employment Guarantee Act projects were already completed or nonexistent.
