CMNT_TITLE

Pakistan

Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases) Convention, 1925 (No. 18) (RATIFICATION: 1927)
Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation) Convention, 1925 (No. 19) (RATIFICATION: 1927)
Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 (No. 118) (RATIFICATION: 1969)

In order to provide an overview of issues relating to the application of ratified social security Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 18 (Workers’ Compensation, Occupational Diseases), 19 (Equality of Treatment, accident compensation), and 118 (Equality of Treatment, Social Security) together.

The Committee notes the observations of the Pakistan Mines Workers’ Federation, received on 7 September 2023, and requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

The Committee takes due note of the information provided by the Government in its report that the ratification of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) and of the Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964 [Schedule I amended in 1980] (No. 121) is a priority in the near future.

Article 1 of the Convention No. 18. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning legislative developments at the federal and provincial levels, the amounts of benefits provided, and persons covered in case of employment injury.

Application of Convention No. 18 in practice. The Committee recalls that in its previous report, the Government indicated that statistical information on the number of occupational diseases registered was not available and that issues concerning the collection of data related to occupational diseases would be discussed by the Federal Tripartite Consultative Committee. The Committee requests that the Government provide information on (i) the results of the discussions held by the Federal Tripartite Consultative Committee in this regard; and (ii) the measures taken or planned to improve the collection of statistical data on the incidence and prevalence of occupational diseases in each province.

Article 1(1) of Convention No. 19 and Articles 3 and 10 of Convention No. 118. Persons protected. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated statistical information on (i) the number of foreign workers currently residing in Pakistan, including refugees or stateless persons, and registered with the social security systems, both central and provincial; and (ii) the number of foreign workers receiving social security benefits and their respective nationality.

Article 1(2) of Convention No. 19 and Article 4 of Convention No. 118. Conditions of residence. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the entitlement to social security benefits of foreign workers currently residing in Pakistan is subject to any qualifying conditions related to the length of residence, in respect to the branches accepted.

Article 2 of Convention No. 19 and Articles 7, 8 and 9 of Convention No. 118. Multilateral or bilateral social security agreements. The Committee requests the Government to provide up to date information on any multilateral or bilateral social security agreements for the provision of benefits, the maintenance of the acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition, and, if possible, a copy of such agreements.

Article 5 of Convention No. 118. Payments of benefits abroad. The Committee requests the Government to provide up to date information on: (i) whether and how beneficiaries can receive social security benefits acquired in Pakistan when they move abroad (for example, through international bank transfers or similar schemes); and (ii) the number of foreign and national workers receiving social security benefits abroad, indicating, if any, in which countries and the type of benefits paid in respect to the branches accepted.