Seminar on May 1 to improve employer-employee relations: NIRC chief

ISLAMABAD: Justice (retd) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Chairman of the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC), said Thursday a seminar will be organised in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on May 1 in the federal capital.

He said suggestions will be given at the seminar to remove obstacles in improving relationship between employers and employees.

Speaking to reporters along with other members of Commission, the NIRC chairman said that out of 70 million workers across the country, only 14 percent come under the definition of regular workers.

“We will try to bring employees of other sectors, who are deprived of legal protection, including private bike-riders, under the definition of regular workers”, he said.

Justice Siddiqui said main objective of NIRC was to resolve disputes between employees and employers. After restoration of public confidence, the number of cases filed in NIRC had increased, he told the media. The number of pending cases had also decreased significantly with the start of hearings through video link, he added.

“In future, a plan is also being made for e-filing. Its proforma will be released on the website”, he informed.

He remarked that if NIRC performance improves, the reservations and concerns of European Union (EU) regarding Pakistan would be removed.

He said said judges of Supreme Court and Lahore High Court, Attorney General and federal ministers will address the seminar. All employers, including media, telecom and hotel industries, have been invited to participate in the seminar. Mir Ibrahim Rahman of Jang Group and Shakeel Masood of Dawn Group will also attend the seminar.