ISLAMABAD (ILO News) - The Government, and employers’ and workers’ organisations in Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to promoting social justice through decent work today! At its Office in Islamabad the ILO Country Office Director, with the Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources Development, and representatives of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan and Pakistan Workers’ Federation came together for their first joint Memorandum of Understanding on the 2nd Decent Work Country Programme. The DWCP II outlines key areas of ILO assistance to the tripartite constituents: federal and provincial governments, employers’ and workers’ organization over a six year period.

Mr Francesco d’Ovidio, the ILO Pakistan Country Director in his address noted that “Pakistan’s total labour force is almost 55 million, thus making it the 9th largest country in terms of labour force size”. He stressed the need to ensure decent work for all workers, the majority of whom work in the large agriculture and informal sectors. While highlighting the decent work deficits in the country, he emphasized the need to align the labour legislation with the ratified International Labour Standards, remove ambiguities between the federal and provincial labour legislation, and drastically overcome the existence of weak to negligible labour regulation. He also hinted at the sluggish pace of implementation of policies on child labour and bonded labour. Mr d’Ovidio also indicated that the lack of a systematic delivery system of competency-based vocational/technical and employability skills; insufficient coverage of social security system; and poor application of Occupation Safety and health as also contributing to problems for workers, subsequently affecting the productivity of enterprises and the economy.

He thanked the federal Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD), and provincial Labour Departments, Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and Pakistan Workers (PWF) Federation for agreeing to five broad priorities to promote a) Employment, b) Social protection, c) Promoting Social Dialogue by Strengthening employers’ and workers organizations, d) Application of International Labour Standards, and e) Policy Coherence. He assured ILO’s full support to help the tri-partite constituents to implement the DWCP II priorities in the coming years.

Mr Muhammad Ahsan Raja Federal Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, thanked the ILO for its continued support in Pakistan. He assured the gathering that the Government of Pakistan will continue to fulfill its commitments under the ratified ILO Conventions and coordinate with provincial labour departments to ensure that the benefits of decent work could be extended to all workers. Mr Haji Muhammad Javed, representing Employers Federation of Pakistan, said that employers are contributing towards the growth of Pakistan and also create employment opportunities in the Country. He thanked ILO for helping the employers to continue to promote international labour standards and the productivity. Mr Zahoor Awan, representing Pakistan Workers Federation, highlighted the need to ensure the enforcement of labour legislation that could ensure the workers’ rights but also their safety at the work places. Mr Awan also appreciated ILO for promoting the rights of workers in Pakistan and its continued support to the cause of workers.

The ceremony concluded with the symbolic signing of giant replica of the MOU on DWCP II by all delegates of governments, employers, workers and other stakeholders present at the occasion as sign of their commitment to promote Decent work for all in Pakistan.

For further information please contact:

Mr M.Saifullah Chaudhry
Senior Programme Officer and Media Focal Person
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Email
Tel.: +92 51 2276456-8