PM's package to fortify lifeline of various sectors amid corona dangers.

LAHORE -- Corona virus pandemic has caused a ripple effect to the large and small economies by pressing governments across the globe to close down the major work places and multi-business infrastructures, to stop further spreading of the deadly COVID-19. As a consequence, productivity at work places has been affected profoundly by the global outbreak of the virus, a great threat to public health causing financial, economic and social disruption, which has put the longterm livelihoods and wellbeing of million workers at stake. International Labour Organiza- tion (ILO) in its document has revealed that during the last decade, a global surge in unemployment had been witnessed which had increased the number of daily wages and part time workers, across the globe.

'The novel Corona virus could claim up to 24.7 million jobs and workers are expected to collectively lose some $860 billion to $3.4 trillion in labourers, as a result of increased unemployment, due to pandemic, during 2020,' the document estimated. The incumbent PTI government is playing a crucial role at main front to combat the Corona virus outbreak in the country by ensuring the safety and livelihood of low income strata, so that sustainability of businesses and job among worker and the employer could be maintained. As per Asian development Bank (ADB) statistics 2015, a total of 24.3 percent population of Pakistan lives below the national poverty line, while 3.9 percent of employed class has the purchasing capacity up to $1.90.

The COVID-19 pandemic spread in the country has put worst effects on the payments, lay-offs and financial consequences of the daily wage labourers and employees of different sectors. The government, in a bid to mitigate the economic impact of Corona virus outbreak has announced Rs 200 billion package for the labourers and low income class of the country, including a relaxation to the industrial sector by releasing tax refunds, amounting to Rs100 billion, besides, deferring of the interest payment. A sum of Rs150 billion has been allocated for the families most impacted due to Corona virus, during the next four months. Each family would be given Rs 3,000 monthly, the...