ISLAMABAD (APP) - Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah Thursday said the government would construct 80000 flats for industrial workers that would be given on ownership rights. "We are accord priority to the welfare of labours as their active participation is necessary for the development of the country," the minister said this at a seminar organised by Capital Development Authority in connection with International Labour Day. Announcing more attractive packages for labour class, the minister said government has decided to repeal IRO-2002 Ordinance and would restore the relevant clauses of IRO-1969 to create conformity for friendly industrial relations. "It is not just an announcement, but a reality to modify all Labour Laws according to the ratified International Labour Organisation conventions to safeguard the interests of workers," Khursheed Shah said. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman, Senator Dr Akbar Khawaja, Secretary Labour and Manpower Malik Asif Hayat and PPP leaders Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, Manzoor Hussain, Dr Israr Ahmed, Qazi Sultan Mehmood and a large number of union leaders and workers were also present. He said the government wants to eliminate discrepancies among regular and contractual workers. He said PPP government was against "contractual employment". He said the Prime Minister in his first speech, has already increased the minimum wages from Rs. 4600 to Rs. 6000 and the law for increasing minimum wages is being finalised for approval. However, the Minister announced to increase minimum pension from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. Under Workers Welfare Fund (WWF), he said the marriage grant for workers' children, would be given now without holding any 'lucky draw' to facilitating every one. Earlier the grant was given only to the winner of lucky draws. He said workers profit funds of Rs. 18400 paid previously to a worker in a year has been enhanced to Rs 24,000. He said the government also wants to provide best educational and health-care facilities to workers and their children. In this regard, Khursheed Shah said the government would set up hospitals in every city for providing medical facilities to the industrial workers. Besides, schools would also be established in those districts where a large number of workers are living. However, he said that all high school being run under the worker welfare fund would be up graded to the level of higher secondary schools. He said that a strategy is being developed under which maximum number of workers could be covered under social security and old age pension. Khursheed Shah said the government is also actively working to repeal the section 27/2-B under which a ban on banking unions was imposed. A special committee has already been formed in this regard, he added. He said the government's step to lift ban on labour and students union would help in resolving the problems of working class. Khursheed Ahmed Shah paid rich tribute to the leadership qualities of the two former Prime Ministers Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto. The Minister said both former Prime Ministers had always raised voice for the welfare of workers. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the first who announced to celebrate May 1 with work force, he added. "I am among one of you and as a worker of PPP and citizen of Pakistan, it is my promise that i would live and die with you," he said.