NLF demands inquiry into change of nominations for int’l conference

Islamabad:The National Labour Federation (NLF) through a letter has drawn attention of Prime Minister to non-transparent nomination of delegate to attend the International Labour Conference (ILC) to be held in Geneva from June 02 to 13.

The NLF General Secretary, Haseebur Rehman in a letter to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that the Ministry Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis nominated Shamsur Rehman Swati, President of NLF Pakistan, as Worker Delegate, and the undersigned, Muhammad Haseebur Rehmanas Advisor and Substitute Delegate.

Both nominees were duly registered by the Ministry for accreditation and participation in the ILO Conference and this nomination status remained visible on the official ILO website as of May 21.

However, the letter says that through the official ILO registration platform, that Zahoor Awan has been listed as the Worker Delegate, in place of Shamsur Rehman Swati while both NLF nominees have been reassigned as Advisors-without any consultation with or consent from NLF.

“Disregarding all the principles and altering the nominations post-facto without any justification or due process undermines the rule of law and transparency, and tarnishes Pakistan's reputation on international platforms”, the letter said.

The action regarding change in nominations contravenes the Constitution of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which mandates that Worker and Employer Delegates must be appointed in consultation with the most representative organizations in the country, the letter said.

The Prime Minister has been urged for the immediate intervention to address this grave matter. The letter says that it is crucial that the original nominations of NLF be restored and that an urgent inquiry be initiated into how such a breach of international and national norms occurred.