Dr Ishrat Hussain, former governor State Bank of Pakistan and Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Director, has said the local entrepreneurs and industrialists can increase their productivity by 50 percent if they employ the right person for the right job as is being done by the multinationals.
This he said while delivering his keynote address at the National Industrial Relations Conference organised by the Employers' Federation of Pakistan (EFP) in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO) here on Wednesday. Dr Ishrat emphasised on the need of strong development of Human Resource Management in all sectors through which proper evaluation of the right person for the right job could be made.
Dr Ishrat advocated for the establishment of vibrant economic relationship with China and said, "our Qibla should not be towards western countries, instead we should look towards the eastern economy, which is the engine of growth." He appreciated the vital role being played by the expatriates in building the economy of the country by sending the foreign remittances, which showed their confidence on Pakistan economy.
He said Pakistan had great potential and businessmen and industrialist had the ability to do the best by running their businesses in a truly professional manner. Federal Secretary Labour and Manpower Malik Asif Hayat, who was the chief guest at the conference, said that in February 2009 the government would hold a Tripartite Labour Conference to discuss various issues relating to industrial relations and laws by inviting all the stakeholders.
He said the Prime Minister in his first address to the National Assembly stated that all Labour Laws of the country would be made in conformity with the International Labour Conventions. He said the government had developed a strategy for the revival of national economy with the objective of generating economic activity in the country, which would help in uplifting the economic conditions of the workers.
He further said that harmonious working relationship between workers and employers was for prompting productivity, competitiveness and growth of industry at well as guaranties decent wages and job security. Speaking on the occasion, Country Director ILO-Islamabad Donglin Li said ILO believed on the importance of dialogue between the government, the employers and the workers' organisations, which could not be denied, because it was instrumental in fostering social and economic progress of a country.
Dialogue among and between the governments and the two "social partners" on issues of common interest, plays a vital role in promoting social justice and social welfare. "We believe that the employers and workers' representative could also play a crucial role in guiding labour related policies and programmes."
In Pakistan, ILO has been implementing its Decent Work Country Programme in close collaboration with our tripartite constituents. "Presently, there are around 100 staff members working with ILO Office and district offices. We have 15 ongoing projects with a combined budget of 33 million dollars," he said.
EFP Vice President Khawaja Muhammad Nauman delivered the welcome address and Member of EFP Managing Committee Fasih-ul-Karim Siddiqui also spoke on the occasion. On this occasion, Industrial Relations Awards were also distributed among the three best companies by chief guest Malik Asit Hayat, Secretary Labour and Manpower. The first award was given to BASF Pakistan Ltd, second to Hinopak Motors (Pvt) Ltd, and the third was given to Shell Pakistan.-PR