Pakistan's tripartite stakeholders including Government, Employers and Workers jointly reviewed progress on Provincial labour legislation after the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Moreover, constituents discussed actions at Federal and provincial level to complete and adopt first cycle of labour legislation and subsidiary legislation as well as to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of Labour Laws, said a statement issued here on Thursday.
For this purpose, it was reported that the provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh have almost completed the present labour legislation process while Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistani Administered Kashmir (AJK) and Islamabad Capital Authority (ICT) are at different levels of completing their legislations.
Decision about Labour Laws in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) will depend upon its merger with KP or any other course as decided by the government.
The two-day National Consultation was organised on January 17 and 18, 2017 by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Provincial and Regional tripartite stakeholders from the four provinces and FATA, GB, AJK and ICT along with the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), - both members of the Federal Tripartite Consultative Committee - participated. This consultation was held under the project "Promoting International Labour and Environmental Standards in Pakistani SMEs (ILES)" funded by European Union (EU).
After passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010, it was a unique gathering of tripartite stakeholders from all regions of the countries.
A comprehensive review of the existing situation of the provincial labour legislation, challenges in the legislative process as well as challenges in the effective implementation and enforcement of labour legislation was undertaken.
Sohail Amir, Federal Secretary, Ministry of OP&HRD highlighted the role and responsibilities of national and provincial stakeholders in the formulation of Labour Laws, the enforcement of those and the reporting. Compliance with international safety standards and improving the OSH conditions, co-ordination for harmonisation of labour laws as well as reporting are important areas to work on.
He assured that the Ministry of OP&HRD will support all provincial and regional labour departments in drafting new Labour Laws in effective enforcement and smooth reporting on their application.
Addressing the event, Dr Amaury Hoste, Head of Section, EU Delegation in Islamabad, assured EU's commitment for compliance of international labour, environmental and human rights Conventions and the achievement of the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He further noted that provision of opportunities for women is also imperative.
Increase in number of unionised workers, improving the OSH, strengthening labour inspection system and capacity building of institutions involved in the oversight mechanisms are other important areas for improvement.
He also highlighted the importance of sustainable initiatives by different partners.
While welcoming the participants, Ingrid Christensen ILO Country Director, Pakistan, highlighted the importance of International Labour Standards (ILS) as guiding principles while formulating labour laws so as to promote Decent Work. She also emphasised the need for effective implementation of labour laws at workplace level and the role of employers and workers in this process.
She assured ILO's technical assistance to the stakeholders in the development of labour laws and regulations to allow for implementation of the principles enshrined in the Conventions through national legislation, standards and guidelines, providing for the ratification of the Conventions, In post-devolution scenario, it is a unique opportunity to look back in terms of current status, opportunities, challenges, and way forward on this important process.