Probationers at the Foreign Services Academy trained on ILO standards
Mr Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director ILO Office Pakistan was invited to give a lecture at the Foreign Services Academy in Islamabad. He presented a historical perspective of the ILO, its work in Pakistan, and the ever-increasing importance and relevance of international labour standards for the country as a player in the global economy.
ISLAMABAD (ILO News): “To remain a player in the globalized economy Pakistan must demonstrate compliance with international labour standards” explained Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director, ILO Pakistan, during his lecture to the current group of probationers under training at the Foreign Services Academy in Islamabad.
The lecture was part of the Foreign Services Academy training course meant to expose trainees to issues of the foreign affairs, trade and the global economy to prepare them for their assignments representing Pakistan around the world.
The Country Director ILO explained the history of the International Labour Organization, a specialized technical body of the United Nations focusing on issues of the world of work. The ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice. There was keen appreciation of the importance of social justice in securing peace, against a background of exploitation of workers in the industrializing nations of that time. There was also increasing understanding of the world's economic interdependence and the need for cooperation to obtain similarity of working conditions in countries competing for markets. These issues and themes remain relevant even today as globalization presents opportunities for developing countries like Pakistan to contribute to international production chains and access international markets to earn foreign exchange. However, in the race to be competitive, some countries try to cut costs by not investing in workers’ safety, health, social security and fair wages. But now, international buyers are increasingly demanding that they will only shift production to those countries that demonstrate compliance to international labour standards.
“The Government and the Private sector “re-discovered” the importance of the compliance with ILS and requested ILO support”, said Mr d’Ovidio as he explained ILO’s support to Pakistan in helping strengthen compliance with labour standards and improve reporting. This is crucial if Pakistan is to take full advantage of preferential access to European markets under the recently awarded GSP Plus status. “A Buyers’ Forum has been established to show international firms that Pakistan is committed to observing all 27 human rights, labour, environmental and anti-corruption standards covered under GSP Plus”.
Participants appreciated the ILO’s support to the country. They recommended that such sessions should be a regular part of their training as well as for trade and commercial counsellors so that they have a better understanding of how to promote trade with Pakistan when they are posted abroad.
National Project Coordinator
Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE)
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
email
Tel. +92 51 2276456-8
The lecture was part of the Foreign Services Academy training course meant to expose trainees to issues of the foreign affairs, trade and the global economy to prepare them for their assignments representing Pakistan around the world.
The Country Director ILO explained the history of the International Labour Organization, a specialized technical body of the United Nations focusing on issues of the world of work. The ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice. There was keen appreciation of the importance of social justice in securing peace, against a background of exploitation of workers in the industrializing nations of that time. There was also increasing understanding of the world's economic interdependence and the need for cooperation to obtain similarity of working conditions in countries competing for markets. These issues and themes remain relevant even today as globalization presents opportunities for developing countries like Pakistan to contribute to international production chains and access international markets to earn foreign exchange. However, in the race to be competitive, some countries try to cut costs by not investing in workers’ safety, health, social security and fair wages. But now, international buyers are increasingly demanding that they will only shift production to those countries that demonstrate compliance to international labour standards.
“The Government and the Private sector “re-discovered” the importance of the compliance with ILS and requested ILO support”, said Mr d’Ovidio as he explained ILO’s support to Pakistan in helping strengthen compliance with labour standards and improve reporting. This is crucial if Pakistan is to take full advantage of preferential access to European markets under the recently awarded GSP Plus status. “A Buyers’ Forum has been established to show international firms that Pakistan is committed to observing all 27 human rights, labour, environmental and anti-corruption standards covered under GSP Plus”.
Participants appreciated the ILO’s support to the country. They recommended that such sessions should be a regular part of their training as well as for trade and commercial counsellors so that they have a better understanding of how to promote trade with Pakistan when they are posted abroad.
For further information please contact:
Ms Frida KhanNational Project Coordinator
Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE)
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Tel. +92 51 2276456-8