The contribution of business to inclusive growth and sustainable development can be maximised in Pakistan by promoting and applying the principles of MNEs Declaration to domestic companies and their supply chains. This was stated by Khawaja Muhammad Nauman President Employers' Federation of Pakistan (EFP) in his inaugural address at the Business Meeting on Sustainability through MNEs Declaration. The event was organized by EFP in collaboration with International Labour Organisation in a local Hotel the other day.
Meng Liu, Head of Asia and Oceania Networks from United Nations Global Compact Headquarter, New York in her key note speech stressed upon the need of generating decent work for youth. "Jobs need to grow from bottom-up with the youths themselves in the driving seat. Making it possible for young people to be the future entrepreneurs will enable them to create their own Jobs," Meng observed.
Earlier, decent work dividend and deficits identified in an exploratory study on "More and Better Job through Socially Responsible Business Practices in Sports Goods Industry, Sialkot" were discussed. The panellists recommended that a similar study should be conducted in the sectors of textile and garment, food and beverages, chemicals and fertilisers, engineering and automobile which will provide a baseline survey identifying decent work dividends and deficits in these sectors which can provide a way forward for addressing them through the application of MNEs Declaration.
The meeting emphasised on the need for public-private partnership in the area of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and appreciated the best practices demonstrated by companies in meeting the requirements of social compliance. Speaking as a chief guest on the occasion, Philippe Crevoisier, Consul General of Switzerland, congratulated the Global Compact Network Pakistan on Celebrating its Tenth Anniversary and called upon the Swiss Companies operating in Pakistan to join the Network in promoting the ten Principles of Global Compact as well as the Principles of MNEs Declaration as strong tools for sustainable development.
Ingrid Christensen, Director ILO Islamabad (on Skype), Shauket Ali President All Pakistan Trade Union Congress, Fasihul Karim Siddiqi Secretary General Employers' Federation of Pakistan and Ijaz Ahmed of ILO Country Office Islamabad also addressed the event.
At this occasion "Living the Global Compact Business Excellence Awards 2014-15" was given to the winning companies. In the Large National Category, the first prize was shared by Fauji Fertilizer, Engro Corporation and Attock Refinery while the second and third prize went to Hi-Tech Lubricants and Thal Engineering, respectively. In the Multinational Category, the first prize was shared between Pak-Arab Refinery and Nestle Pakistan while the second prize was given to Indus Motor Company. The third prize in this category was shared by Hinopak Motors and Abbott Laboratories.