Last year in December, the tension and anxiety were quite high at the trade ministry as the two-year review of the General Scheme of Preference Plus was approaching. The recently released European Commission’s first assessment report on the impact of GSP Plus scheme should have provided a much-needed relief to the ministry and exporters alike.
For Pakistan to retain its status as a GSP plus beneficiary and utilize the system to its maximum potential, it has to continue implementing the 27 conventions and submit regular reports in this regard. Unfortunately, the track record of Pakistan regarding international conventions has been spotty at best. Similarly, EU officials have never been shy to report their displeasure and dismay on outdated or absent reporting by Pakistan and have warned that insufficient implementation and cooperation for monitoring and evaluation by relevant bodies could result in temporary withdrawal or suspension of GSP Plus preferences.
However, for the first time according to the EU, Pakistan has taken all the steps to submit all due reports to UN human rights conventions. The EU report affects the special incentive arrangements for the sustainable development and good governance GSP Plus covering the period 2014-15. The report will form the basis for the continuation of GSP Plus scheme till 2023. The GSP Plus scheme became operational from January 2014.
The report has noted a mixed picture of Pakistani human rights record. EU has shown that the human rights abuses remain widespread in Pakistan even though the authorities have launched some practical initiatives to deal with this issue. The report has pointed out that extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and failure to protect minorities all continue to occur.
EU has acknowledged that Pakistan is actively engaged in the fight against terrorism. However, the fight against terrorism has created new human rights challenges that need to be urgently addressed and dealt with. It has advised the government by respecting; protecting and promoting human rights can be a useful tool, in the medium term, to attack the root causes of militant extremism in the country.
Pakistan is also suffering chronically with the issue of inadequate enforcement and implementations of legal, safeguards. Even, though, the country has the proper constitution and in domestic legislations. On the other hand, EU has appreciated the announcement of the national action plan on human rights. They further mentioned the under funding of the commission on the status of women and the proposal to establish a commission on the rights of the children.
EU showed its displeasure on high ranking of Pakistan on the 2014 Modern Slavery Index. The most widespread problem of slavery happens in southern Sindh and Punjab, but anecdotal evidence suggests that bonded labour exists in all four provinces. The European Union has appreciated the fact that provinces are quickly adopting provincial legislation to abolish child labour which remains a major concern across the country.
With that said EU has categorically has asked Pakistan to do more in the future. It seems that both the government and exporters are on the same page with this issue and they cannot afford to lose the lucrative markets of the European Union. More steps are needed to be taken especially with regards to the implementation of the labour laws, minimum wage and labour inspection.
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