ILO, NIRC to host landmark Labour Day conference in capital on May 1

ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of Labour Day 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Pakistan, in collaboration with the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC), will organize a significant national-level conference in Islamabad on May 1, 2025.

The primary objective of this event is to promote dialogue, harmony, and mutual understanding between employers and workers in Pakistan. The conference will be held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), with prominent figures from across the country’s industrial and labour sectors expected to attend.

Geir Tonstol, Country Director of ILO Pakistan, shared the organization’s message ahead of the event, stating: “Labour rights are human rights, and decent working conditions arise from collective efforts that leave no one behind. As the world faces increasing economic inequality, climate change, and technological transformations, solidarity between governments, employers, and workers is more essential than ever.”

He further emphasized that ILO Pakistan, in partnership with NIRC, is bringing together all key stakeholders in the world of work to foster industrial harmony, facilitate effective workplace dialogue, and ensure timely and fair dispute resolution.

In the same spirit, Justice (Retd.) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Chairman of the NIRC, stated: “This is the first time since 1969 that NIRC is organizing a national conference of this kind, in collaboration with the ILO. The goal is to strengthen the relationship between employers and workers and bridge the gap that exists between them.”

He added that one of NIRC’s core responsibilities is to nurture constructive relationships between employers and employees, guide those relationships in a positive direction, and channel industrial interactions into a more productive framework. He expressed hope that this conference would serve as a milestone in this journey and, In Sha Allah, will be a successful initiative.

This conference comes at a critical time when labour communities across Pakistan and globally are grappling with rising inflation, unemployment, job insecurity, and the disruptive impacts of new technologies and automation. In such a context, collaboration among governments, employers, labour organizations, and international institutions is vital to shaping a more equitable, sustainable, and dignified future of work.

The May 1 event will bring together representatives from various industrial sectors, trade unions, human rights activists, legal experts, and government institutions. The conference will feature multiple sessions focusing on current labour issues, reform strategies, and policy development.

This landmark initiative is expected to play a significant role in enhancing industrial relations in Pakistan and may mark the beginning of a new approach and action plan to safeguard workers’ rights and promote social dialogue in the country.