A Task Force on promoting sustainable and responsible business in the Sialkot sports goods manufacturing sector is established

A Task Force on promoting sustainable and responsible business in the Sialkot sports goods manufacturing sector under ILO’s Project “More and better jobs through socially responsible labour practices in Asia”, funded by the Government of Japan is established.

記者発表 | Sialkot, Pakistan | 2016/12/30
SIALKOT (ILO News): International Labour Organization (ILO), Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) jointly organized a meeting to launch the task force on the Project “More and Better Jobs in Sports Goods Industry in Sialkot-Pakistan”. Mr Saleem Hussain Director General Labour Welfare Government of the Punjab, office bearers of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Associations (PSGMEA), Officials of ILO Country Office for Pakistan and a large number of sports goods manufacturers in Sialkot attended the meeting.

ILO’s study on “More and Better Jobs through Socially Responsible Labour Practices in the Sports Goods Industry Sialkot” was validated by the project stakeholders. The Task Force is established within the framework of the ILO Project on “More and better jobs through socially responsible labour practices in Asia” funded by the Japanese Government.

A Task Force on promoting sustainable and responsible business in the Sialkot sports goods manufacturing sector comprising key stakeholders, including representatives from the Punjab Government, the SCCI, the EFP and the Pakistan Workers’ Federation was established. Companies representing sports goods manufacturing sector in Sialkot will also be a part of the dialogue.

The key aim of the Task Force is to spearhead the promotion of sustainable and responsible business in the Sialkot sports goods manufacturing sector, through the establishment of a dialogue platform for the buyers, brands and suppliers to address the above issues. It will seek to showcase and introduce new initiatives in the sector that would improve productivity, competitiveness and profitability in the sports goods industry in Sialkot, and encourage multinational enterprises and enterprises in the sports goods value chain to contribute positively to the economic and social development through socially responsible labour practices in Sialkot. This is in line with the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) which provides direct guidance to enterprises on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices.

In order to raise awareness, promotional materials on the principles enshrined in the MNE Declaration and the ILO project were distributed to all participants of the workshop. The workshop also evaluated the first phase of the MNED Project and its achievements were appreciated by the stakeholders. The participants shared recommendations on the core areas of work for future project interventions.