Amendment in IRO, 2002: government to incorporate changes in MMA, PPPP sponsored bill

The government is planning to incorporate a number of further amendments in bills introduced in the National Assembly by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) and Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) lawmakers separately to amend the Industrial Relations Ordinance (IRO), 2002.
An official of the Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that preparation of a draft to further amend these bills was in final stages.
The ministry, the official said, had almost completed the draft and the secretary would send it to the concerned committee of the National Assembly after an overview.
He said the National Assembly panel on law, justice and human rights would take up amendments proposed by the ministry in its meeting scheduled on October 4.
The bill, if approved by the committee, would be presented in the House in its coming session for passage, the official said.
PPPP Chaudhry Manzoor and MMA Liaquat Bloch introduced separate bills in the National Assembly in its previous session to amend certain clauses of IRO, 2002.
National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain referred both the bills to law and justice committee after showing some reluctance.
The National Assembly panel then sent these bills to the ministry to seek its comments.
The official said that the government, prior to the introduction of MMA and PPPP bills, itself intended to introduce a similar bill in the National Assembly.
"Had they (MMA and PPPP lawmakers) not moved this bill, the government could have taken similar step for the purpose," the official said.
Asked whether the ministry had incorporated amendments proposed by the MMA and PPPP members in their separate bills, he said: "We have tried to accommodate maximum proposals, but all of them could not be taken into consideration."
"And at the same time," the official added, "we have suggested a number of further amendments to make these bills more comprehensive and beneficial for all stakeholders."
He said the ministry had consulted representatives of trade and labour unions and other people from the concerned quarters to give weightage to their views.
The official admitted that there were some reservations from trade and labour unions on IRO, 2002, and the ministry had tried its level best to remove them in the proposed amendments.