Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14) - Pakistan (Ratification: 1923)

Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention. Total and partial exceptions. The Committee notes the Government’s reply to earlier observations made by the Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) concerning the need to amend certain provisions of the Factories Act, 1934, the Mines Act, 1923, and the Railways Act, 1890, which allow for much broader exemptions from the rules governing weekly rest than those permitted under the Convention. In its response, the Government indicates that in practice the provisions regarding exemptions are rarely invoked, and that in any event, exemptions are granted only after inquiry and on condition that workers are given the rest to which they are entitled. The Government has produced sample copies of such exemptions granted to specific enterprises which provide either that a person engaged on weekly rest days shall be allowed substitute holidays within three days or that workers employed for up to 14 days continuously shall be granted at least one full day rest and also allowed compensatory holiday as and when circumstances permit it.

In addition, the Government indicates that, under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, Provincial Governments have been given full responsibility on all labour issues. The Government further indicates that the provinces are in the process of simplifying and consolidating labour laws through tripartite consultations and that the PWF’s observations, as well as the Committee’s previous comments, will be duly considered in this process. The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of the progress made in this respect and to provide copies of all relevant texts as soon as they are adopted.