Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Fee-Charging Employment Agencies Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 96) - Pakistan (Ratification: 1952)

Part II of the Convention. 1. The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in its report in reply to its previous observation. The Committee recalls that it had in particular requested the Government to give details of the measures taken with a view to adopting the draft Rules under the Fee-Charging Employment Agencies (Regulation) Act, 1976, to which the Government had referred for many years, so as to undertake the abolition of fee-charging employment agencies "within a limited period of time", but not "until a public employment service is established", in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee regrets to note that the report contains no signs of progress on this matter. The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures in the near future and to report on the progress towards achieving adoption of the Rules.

2. The Committee notes the information regarding measures taken to supervise overseas employment promoters under the Emigration Ordinance of 1979 and rules thereunder. It notes that a licence is issued to these agencies for an initial period of three years, then renewed for periods which vary depending on the way in which the agencies operate. The Committee recalls that, under Article 5, paragraph 2(b), of the Convention, these agencies are required to be in possession of a yearly licence renewable at the discretion of the competent authority. It asks the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken or envisaged to give full effect to this provision of the Convention in respect of overseas employment promoters.

3. The Committee notes the information regarding penalties imposed on overseas employment promoters following contraventions. It asks the Government to continue to supply such information and also to include the information required under Article 9 of the Convention on the number of these agencies, as well as on the nature and volume of their activities. Please supply all available information on the application of the Convention in practice (Part V of the report form).