Strengthened capacity of constituents to address unacceptable forms of work in the textiles and garment sector in Pakistan

The project complements the efforts of the ILO in Pakistan to strengthen the capacity of constituents to address unacceptable forms of work in garment sector. Subsequently, improving ILS ratification, application and compliance level through better labour administration and legislative reform.

AT A GLANCE

Partners
Federal Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, four Provincial Labour Departments (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan), Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Commerce, Textile Industry Associations

Target beneficiaries
Tripartite Committee on International Labour Standards (ILS), Labour Inspection (LI) and Labour Market Information (LMI) at the Federal Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, ILS units at Provincial Labour Departments (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPK and Baluchistan), workers working in textile industries

Geographical focus
Provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan with pilot activities focused on Punjab.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Pakistan is the eighth largest exporter of textile products in Asia. The industry contributes 9.5 per cent of national GDP and provides employment for about 15 million people, roughly 30 per cent of the entire workforce. However, workers in the textile industry suffer from lack of decent working conditions, low wages and inadequate occupational safety.

In order to address unacceptable forms of work in the garment sector and maintain the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus status granted by the European Union (EU), the Government of Pakistan has taken steps towards legislative reforms, including regulations on labour welfare and industrial relations. The Government has also ensured that national legislation is harmonized with the 36 ILO Conventions ratified by Pakistan, including all eight fundamental Conventions. Programme has been developed to Strengthen National Capacities in International Labour Standards Compliance and Reporting in Pakistan.

This project contributes to the umbrella and reporting. The ILO provides technical support on ILS compliance to the project using a two-pronged strategy:
  • Strengthen capacity at federal and provincial levels to enhance compliance and reporting on ILS with tripartite consultation.
  • Address unacceptable working conditions in garment sector industries by promoting sustainable and responsible workplace practices.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

  • Establish and operationalise tripartite supervisory and policy oversight committees at federal and provincial levels, to support effective ILS, labour inspection and labour market information reporting.
  • Establish and operationalise ILS reporting units to assess the labour market situation and report on ILS and good practices by coordinating with the federal ministry and promoting exchanges of knowledge between provinces.
  • Engage with industrial associations to promote “Responsible Workplace Practices.”
  • Initiate a process of social dialogue between workers and employers at enterprise level in the textile and garment sectors.
  • Develop code of conduct and responsible workplace practices in collaboration with selected garment and textile industries.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

  • Support the formation and effective operationalization of tripartite consultation committees in four provincial governments.
  • Assist the government in timely submission of reports on Conventions by establishing an ILS Unit, organizing training and institutionalizing a reporting mechanism.
  • Support the Government in developing a comprehensive reform agenda for strengthening Labour Administration in Pakistan, with the aim of ensuring effective implementation and reporting on labour laws and Conventions.
  • Support all four Provincial Governments in completing legislative work related to more than 15 provincial labour laws.
  • Support the Federal Government in developing a model law against workplace discrimination, including review by tripartite constituents and the passage of legislation through Provincial Assemblies.
  • Create and promote a forum for buyers to undertake dialogue on Decent Work for the sustainability of Pakistan’s textile sector. More than 20 local and international brands have joined the forum, organized by the International Finance Corporation and Netherlands Embassy in Islamabad.
  • Sign a Public-Private Partnership agreement with the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), under which PTEA pledges to allocate US$ 1.9 million to promote ILS Compliance in 280 textile exporting industries in Faisalabad District.

For further information please contact:

Ms Rabia Razzaque
National Project Coordinator
Tel: +92 51 2276456-8
Email