ISLAMABAD (ILO NEWS): The dialogue for the development of Pakistan’s Decent Work Country Program III (DWCP, 2016-2020) set off with a tripartite meeting convened by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistan and Human Resource Development (OP-HRD). The meeting saw the agreement on four broad priorities encompassing employment creation, social protection, ILS compliance and stronger worker and employer organizations. The roadmap for the development of the country’s third DWCP was also endorsed.

The aspiration of “Decent Work for all” is part of Pakistan’s development agenda and is the basis for the strong framework of corporation between the Government of Pakistan (GoP), Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF).

Speaking during the opening session of the meeting the Secretary for Labour- Mr Khizer Hayat, stated that there was need to develop a robust monitoring and implementation mechanism for the next DWCP based on sound baselines and cost estimates in order to ascertain the level of impact of the program.

DWCP’s facilitate the realization of the aspiration of Decent work is defined as work in freedom, equity, security and human dignity. This definition is embodied in the “Global Decent Work Agenda” endorsed by the UN System through the Chief Executive Board (CEB).

The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) represented by President-Mr Khawaja Nauman, reaffirmed the employers commitment to the process of developing the next DWCP. Mr. Naumann also stated that the relevance of employment and labour had gained more prominence in light of the next development paradigm as articulated under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’) and said that EFP looked forward to the development of a pragmatic, realistic and market driven DWCP for Pakistan. The EFP also stated that the third DWCP for Pakistan should be anchored within the context of the 2010 devolution wherein provincial priorities should be taken into account and consolidated into national priorities.

Speaking at the same event, the Pakistani Workers Federation (PWF) Secretary General, Brother Zahoor Arwan appreciated the efforts made by the Ministry of OP-HRD in enhancing Pakistan’s compliance to ILS and called for the ratification of those ILS that were relevant for fostering social economic progress and decent work as well as the need to strengthen Labour Market Information (LMI). Brother Zahoor emphasized the need for actions that will facilitate the formalization of the informal economy that should be clearly linked to the gradual implementation and extension of social protection floors to vulnerable workers as detailed under the 2015 Recommendation 204 concerning the transition from the informal to the formal economy.

Representing the ILO Country Office for Pakistan, Ms Belinda Chanda-Officer In Charge, set the context for the development of the DWCP by laying emphasis on the fact that the DWCP was a national framework that will require a broader set of stakeholders if it is to achieve its intended objective of decent work. In a similar vein Ms. Chanda reiterated the need for the tripartite constituents to take the lead in this effort and broker a high degree of ownership of the national program by ensuring its alignment to national development priorities and frameworks. The gathering was also reminded that Pakistan is among the first countries to have developed and implemented a DWCP among ILO’s member states.

The priority settings session will be followed by further engagements with provincial departments of labour which will culminate into a national Results Based Management training in October 2015.