PAKISTAN STRUGGLES WITH SOARING INFLATION AND WIDENING WAGE DISPARITIES

Consider a scenario where a worker earns a wage that scarcely covers rent, let alone other essential expenses, after enduring long hours of toil

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Pakistan is currently facing its highest inflation rate in nearly fifty years. In recent months, inflation has soared to as much as 38 percent, marking the highest rate in South Asia. Food inflation has surged to 48 percent, reaching its peak since 2016, Dawn reported.

The government’s decision to devalue the currency by over 50 percent within a year and eliminate subsidies as part of the latest installment of the International Monetary Fund bailout package has exacerbated the nation’s cost-of-living crisis.

In a country where economic challenges often overshadow the daily lives of its citizens, the concept of fair wages has emerged as a ray of hope. Like many developing nations, Pakistan is confronted with the daunting task of addressing poverty, inequality, and social disparities exacerbated by the aforementioned inflation, as reported by Dawn.

At the crux of these challenges lies the question of how much workers are compensated for their labour. Private-sector corporations must engage in discussions about the significance of fair wages and living incomes and why Pakistan must prioritise this vital aspect of economic justice.