Labour Legislation and The Transformational Influence of The 18th Amendment in Pakistan

Abstract

This study takes a critical view of how Pakistan’s employment laws have changed over the years, especially after the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. It draws on existing research to trace how labour laws and the role of government have developed from the country’s early days to now. This study focuses on how power and accountability have shifted in Pakistan after the 18th Amendment, especially when it comes to labour laws. It looks at how both national and provincial governments have handled labour legislation since the amendment, paying close attention to policy changes, how these laws are enforced, and how workers’ rights are protected at different levels of government. The study also looks at how the 18th Amendment has shaped the way employers and workers interact, how well workers’ rights are being protected, and how employment laws are being managed overall. It brings attention to some key challenges that have come up since the amendment like confusion over legal responsibilities, a lack of coordination between federal and provincial governments, and differences in labour laws from one province to another. There's also a clear need to make these laws more consistent across the country. In the end, the research offers a clearer picture of how Pakistan’s labour system and style of governance are continuing to grow and change.