The federal cabinet on Thursday decided to form an inter-ministerial committee to review labour ministry draft bill, aimed at amending Industrial Relations Ordinance (IRO) 2002. The cabinet, with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the chair, asked the committee to report back within a month after a section-wise review of the bill.
Federal Labour Minister Sarwar Khan would head the committee. The selection of other members would be his discretion, sources told Business Recorder.
The committee would start functioning after the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz approves its members, possibly within next two to three days, the sources added.
The draft bill is primarily designed to bring local laws in conformity with International Labour Organisation (ILO) charter.
Two sections of the ILO charter-C 87 and C 98-allows union activities in any public and private sector organisation except in those related to defence services.
While under the IRO that President General Pervez Musharraf promulgated back in 2002 union activities are strictly banned in eight institutions, including charitable hospitals.
THESE INSTITUTIONS ARE: Pakistan Railways (defence line); Pakistan Security Papers; Pakistan Security Papers Mills; Pakistan Printing Corporation; Employees Old-age Benefit Institute (EOBI); Workers Welfare Fund (WWF); charitable hospitals and Watch and Ward (The security and fire arms of oil, gas industry, sea and airports).
Pakistan has already ratified 36 ILO conventions including C- 87 and C-98 that makes it obligatory to consolidate and modify labour laws in accordance with the provisions of the ILO charter.
But the sources said that even the draft bill did not recommend allowing union activities in most of these organisations and was restricted to only three institutions.
Only EOBI and WWF-subsidiaries of the labour ministry-and charitable hospitals' employees would be enjoying the right of union activities under the proposed bill, the sources said.
Keeping in mind what the provisions of two said conventions of ILO demand, the bill falls short of meeting the international body's requirements.
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