ILO, Netherlands to cooperate in revitalising labour inspection machinery

Islamabad
The Government of Pakistan, workers and employers organisations get the support of International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in developing measures to revitalise the country’s labour inspection machinery. In this regard, a memorandum of understanding was signed on Tuesday.
In a press briefing on the project, the Netherlands Acting Ambassador Renate Pors said that he is encouraged to see that Pakistani authorities are conscious about what is at stake for the economy, for employment and for the rights of its citizens. “The Netherlands is contributing its share through this programme. And as a friend of Pakistan, we ask the Pakistani government, both federal and provincial, to assume its responsibilities, too,” he said.
Such improvements are imperative to keep Pakistan’s textile sector attractive internationally, especially given the advantageous trade conditions offered to Pakistan under GSP+.
The Federal Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD), Sikandar Ismail Khan highlighted that labour inspection is one of the core functions of labour administration system and a key element for enduring the implementation of labour policies, providing feedback and allowing for readjustment of these policies as necessary.
Khan said after devolution of Labour subject, the federal government is actively supporting all Provincial Governments in strengthening their labour administration system for ensuring well-being and economic development of the people of Pakistan.
Speaking on this occasion, ILO Country Director Francesco d’Ovidio outlined the main building blocks of the project saying the project is designed to revitalise labour inspection system to enhance its effectiveness, outreach and coverage in line with international labour standards and also responds to GSP Plus which the country put into operation in January 2014.
The ILO’s partnership with the Kingdom of Netherlands in Pakistan has gained strength over the last twelve months. Notable collaborations include the 2014 round table meeting hosted by the ILO at which Ploumen, the Netherlands Minister of International Trade and Development, stressed the need for SMEs in Pakistan’s textile sector (the country’s main economic enabler after agriculture), to provide better working conditions as a pre-requisite for enhanced exports to the EU.
This was immediately followed by an initiative on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) under which over 100 labour inspectors were trained in foundational concepts. The most current collaboration between the ILO, Kingdom of Netherlands and International Finance Cooperation (IFC) includes the establishment and operationalisation of the first Buyers Forum in Pakistan. The Buyers Forum has reaffirmed its commitment to better labour and environmental practices Pakistan’s textile sector. This has been complemented by analytical work on assessing the status of compliance and existing good practices in the sector.