A six-member delegation of the European Conservative and Reformists Group of Parliamentarians on Wednesday visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and had an interactive session with the LCCI office bearers. Head of the delegation Hasns-Olaf HENKEL and the LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid had detailed discussion about the ongoing economic scenario, GSP Plus Status to Pakistan and trade & economic ties with European Union.
Hasns-Olaf HENKEL said that the purpose of the visit is to gain a better understanding of the latest economic and political developments in Pakistan. He said that textile is the major export-oriented industry of the country. Pakistan needs to enhance the potential in others sectors too.
"We see things are improving and getting better. Security condition has much improved now and we feel safe here, the delegation head added. Malik Tahir Javaid said that award of GSP Plus status for the second time proves that European Parliament has expressed satisfaction on the progress achieved by Pakistan in enacting new laws and developing new institutions for implementation of 27 core conventions.
He said Pakistan has maintained ratification of the eight ILO fundamental conventions relevant for GSP Plus and has complied with all its reporting obligations. The government has taken a number of initiatives over the years to ensure compliance of GSP Plus conventions, particularly labour rights, he added.
He said the government has developed a framework for revitalization and restructuring of the labour inspection system and is working with ILO and donors to implement improvements, including through recruitment of inspectors, capacity building and digitization. Pakistan has been working with EU since 2016 in the project called International Labour and Environmental Standards Application in Pakistan's SMEs. The project will assist public sector institutions to improve the enforcement of existing legislation and compliance of international labour standards in Pakistan, as well as define new laws where necessary.
Malik Tahir Javaid said the federal law on employment of children (1991) has now been replaced in all provinces by provincial acts on the prohibition or restriction of employment of children. Generally, these laws prohibit children under 14 to engage in any work and children under 18 to engage in hazardous occupations.
"The obstacles faced by the government in ensuring complete implementation of labor rights conventions must be recognized. It is important to mention that government is showing utmost will to improve the overall positive image of Pakistan in this connection; Malik Tahir Javaid said and added that many responsibilities for implementation of the conventions have been devolved to the provinces, where capacity and resources are often relatively insufficient.
The LCCI President said that since Pakistan is presently confronted with stiff economic challenges like balance of payment crisis and high trade deficit, the GSP Plus status provides an avenue for Pakistan to surmount these challenges and steer the country to the road of economic prosperity.