Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Pakistan (Ratification: 1994)

Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes that the report requested and replying to the matters raised in its 2008 observation was not received. It further notes the comments submitted by the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) in July 2009. The PWF refers to the principle set out in the Convention which provides that tripartite consultations are carried out with the most representative organizations of workers and employers. The PWF indicates that it has the largest membership of workers in the country and is duly registered and certified by the National Industrial Relations Commission. The PWF also maintains that the most representative organization of workers in terms of their membership may not be excluded from tripartite consultations and their views should be taken into consideration. The PWF notes that the Government has recently constituted two national tripartite boards for two important federal institutions – the Workers Welfare Fund and the Old-Age Benefits Institution. The PWF urges the Government to review the selection process of the representatives of workers in those tripartite boards in order to comply with the Convention. The Committee recalls its 2008 observation and once again asks the Government to supply information on the progress made towards the establishment of the Tripartite Consultation Committee. Taking into account the concerns of the PWF, the Committee asks the Government to also provide detailed information on how Articles 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention are applied, so as to ensure that the most representative organizations of workers participate fully in the tripartite consultations required by the Convention.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2010.]