ILO promoting work opportunities in Pakistan: country director

LAHORE: The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is working to promote decent work opportunities for men and women in Pakistan, ensuring that employment is productive and that workers have fair wages, social protection, and rights at work, said Geir T Tonsol, the country director of ILO while talking to The News in an Interview.

He added that the ILO supports Pakistan in improving occupational safety and health standards and practices to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all workers. The director of ILO said ILO works with the government, Labour Union and employers’ associations as well. The ILO assists Pakistan in addressing issues related to labour migration and trafficking, including protecting the rights of migrant workers and combating human trafficking for labour exploitation. He said the ILO's mandate in Pakistan aims to contribute to the country's economic and social development by promoting social justice, decent work, and respect for labour rights. He added that ILO is working to promote labour standards which were ratified by Pakistan. We are working for Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in Pakistan as ILO had multiple interventions including small and larger projects in the country, he said, adding provision of decent work is very important as it ensures human dignity, equity, freedom, security and the work that is available to men and women equally. He shared equal wages for men and women falls in decent work. We are working in Pakistan for its compliance, he said. He added all members state of ILO have to respect all core labour standards and Pakistan has ratified its eights of those freedom of association is very important which gives right of voice. To a question, Geir T Tonsol, said the ILO assists countries in developing and implementing policies and legislation that protect the rights of migrant workers and promote regular and orderly migration. He shared that the ILO collaborates with governments, employers' and workers' organisations, and other stakeholders to address labour migration issues effectively through dialogue, cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives. ILO is very concerned about safe work, when Pakistani go to destination countries, their contracts are exploited. The ILO emphasises the importance of integrating migrant workers into destination countries' labor markets while also supporting their reintegration into their home countries upon return, he said adding in Pakistan female labourers force participation is less which is one of the rights challenges.

He hoped that first time in history of Punjab, a woman has been elected as CM and she will do pro-women legislation and ensure decent work in Punjab as strong female leadership was required to this country. He added that diverse work force is essential for progress of Pakistan. In textile industries, labour standards are being respected, he added. It is need of hours to documents that there is bonded labour. No child labour, he said. According to him, ILO promotes the development and implementation of inclusive policies and practices that accommodate the needs of all workers, including those from marginalised or underrepresented groups. This may involve flexible working arrangements, reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, and supportive measures for caregivers. Gender equality is a priority for the ILO, and it advocates for the elimination of gender-based discrimination and the promotion of women's empowerment in the workplace. This includes addressing gender pay gaps, promoting women's leadership and representation, and combating gender-based violence and harassment at work, he concluded.