Validation workshop held to strengthen support for forced labour victims in the Balochistan province of Pakistan

QUETTA, Pakistan (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) under the project "From Protocol to Practice: A Bridge to Global Action on Forced Labour" (BRIDGE) organized a validation workshop with key stakeholders to present the findings of a comprehensive mapping and needs assessment of forced labour victim support services in Balochistan.

The extensive exercise involved interviewing multiple stakeholders, including the law enforcement departments, social welfare, agriculture, mines and minerals departments, local NGOs, human rights commissions and forced labour victims.

Key findings highlighted a prevalent issue of forced labour across multiple sectors, including mining, agriculture, domestic work, fishing, trading, and other service industries. Notably, the finding revealed limited understanding among law enforcement officials regarding indicators of forced labour and appropriate response protocols. The profile of forced labour victims underscored their vulnerability, often originating from impoverished backgrounds, lacking formal education, coming from dysfunctional families, refugee situations, or remote areas. These victims frequently found themselves in low-skilled, informal sector positions.

Recommendations from the study stressed the need for specialized training, introduction of emerging skills, enhancement of technical education, interdepartmental coordination, and expanded victim protection services to effectively combat forced labour. Furthermore, the study emphasized critical long-term strategies such as economic growth and diversification, promotion of labour rights, and disaster risk reduction to address forced labour and enhance livelihoods in Balochistan.

Funded by the United States Department of Labour, the validation workshop was attended by officials from law enforcement and other government departments and representatives from employers’ and workers’ organizations.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Mushtaq Ahmad Jaffar, Director General, Department of Labour Balochistan, appreciated the contribution of the ILO for continued support towards institutional strengthening, capacity building, and knowledge production through such mapping exercises. “The Department of Labour is fully committed to eliminating all forms of forced labour from the Balochistan province to make it a model for other provinces of Pakistan”, he said.

Geir Tonstol, Country Director for ILO Pakistan said that “forced labour perpetuates cycles of poverty and exploitation, profoundly undermining human dignity. It has become evident that the situation is grave and all of us assembled here must act urgently to combat forced labour, end this injustice, protect workers' rights, and uphold the principles of fairness and equality for everyone."

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