Sindhi translation of OSH module: Minister announces Rs 2.5 million financial assistance for EFP

Sindh Minister for Labour, Transport and Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has announced the Rs 2.5 million financial assistance for Employers' Federation of Pakistan (EFP) to develop the Sindhi translation of OSH module with the help of the ILO-ITC/DECP. The announcement was made at the "Stakeholders' Dialogue on National Business Agenda and MNE Declaration," organized by EFP at a hotel, here.
Shah appreciated EFP in extending full cooperation in addressing the issues and challenges faced by business community. He also hailed its positive efforts in brining business community together on issues of labour and social compliance.
"Projects being undertaken by EFP speak volumes about their commitments to the common cause for which the Government of Sindh is working," he said.
Later, he announced the contribution of Rs 2.5 million as financial assistance for EFP to develop the Sindhi translation of OSH module with the help of ILO-ITC/DECP. With the technical assistance of International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office Pakistan, Employers' Federation of Pakistan (EFP) successfully completed the Stakeholders' Dialogue on EFP's National Business Agenda and Multinational Enterprises & Social Policy Declaration (MNED).
Over 200 participants including the Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Ingrid Christensen, Country Director ILO Country Office for Pakistan, Toshikazu Isomura, Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Majyd Aziz, President, Employers' Federation of Pakistan, Dr Arshad Vohra, Deputy Mayor Karachi and parliamentarians namely Dr Arif Alvi- MNA-PTI and PPP MNA Dr Shazia Sobia Soomro, Raza Haroon of Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), Khawaja Tariq Nazir Secretary General PML-Sindh, Rasheed Solangi, Secretary Labour, Government of Sindh, Karamat Ali, Director Pakistan Institute of Labour and Research (PILAR), Shahid Baig of PILAR, Ghulam Nabi Memon, Joint Director Labour Sindh, Fasihul Karim Siddiqi Secretary General EFP and the representatives of the Multinationals/brands, national companies, industrial associations, trade bodies, institutional members of EFP, some prominent sports goods manufacturers from Sialkot, eight town associations, workers, government officials, academia and civil society attended the event.
EFP president Majyd Aziz said the initiative was taken to promote social dialogue and bilateral interaction with the Sindh government. He said the dialogue and interaction aimed at working on the issues of labour laws, national business agenda, role of political parties and structural changes in order to prepare them to the next level to successfully face the emerging challenges at local and international market. He called upon the political parties to forge unity on one point agenda of economic development leaving aside their political differences and assured them the support and cooperation of EFP.
Ingrid Christensen, country director of the ILO congratulated EFP on hosting the event saying that the outcome of this deliberation would provide a way forward for the project to move beyond sports goods industry and Sialkot.
She also appreciated the initiatives of the EFP on promoting decent work agenda and collaborating with ILO and sharing a new vision to the business community for taking them to the next high level of sustainable growth.
Representatives of political parties in their remarks appreciated the EFP's efforts in presenting the business agenda and assured that the points raised would be seriously taken into consideration in their respective political manifestos.
Toshikazu Isomura, Consul General of Japan in Karachi expressed his satisfaction over the project and hoped that the lessons learned from the project would lead in more intensive efforts to help the industry grow in Sialkot and beyond.
At the conclusion of the event, the EFP announced the winners of the "Employers of the Year Award 2016" to companies demonstrating good practices in the area of management, HR and employment practices, working conditions, labour laws' compliance, CSR and adherence to social protection floors and the principles of MNE Declaration. The awardees also included five sports goods manufacturing companies from Sialkot whom EFP recognition shield on social responsible labour practices were conferred.