Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

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

Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. Following the devolution of matters concerning labour legislation and administration to the provinces (Balochistan, Khyber Pakthunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh), the four provinces have each promulgated Industrial Relations Acts between 2010 and 2015. In addition, the provinces each established their respective Provincial Tripartite Consultative Committees (PTCCs) between August and September 2014, following that of a Federal Tripartite Consultative Committee (FTCC) in July 2014. The Government reports that three of the provinces’ PTCCs (Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh) have since then provided for a wider representation of employer and worker groups. The Government indicates that the FTCC and PTCCs have discussed the matters required under Article 5(1)(a)–(e) of the Convention. It adds that, since June 2015, the FTCC has held four meetings. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that during this period of time, the Khyber Pakthunkhwa PTCC and the Punjab PTCC have each held four meetings, while the Balochistan PTCC and the Sindh PTCC have held two and three meetings, respectively. The Government provides information on national labour law and policy matters discussed during the different FTCC and PTCC meetings, some of which are related to implementation of international labour standards; however, the report does not supply particulars on the matters concerning international labour standards covered under Article 5(1) of the Convention. In this context, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the devolution to the provinces in 2010 eroded the institutional structure and memory of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOP & HRD), the Ministry which is now mandated to report on ILO Conventions, and that the MOP & HRD is currently working in collaboration with the ILO to put in place institutional arrangements at federal level with strong linkages to relevant stakeholders. The Committee requests the Government to provide precise and detailed information on the content and outcome of the tripartite consultations held on all matters concerning international labour standards covered by the Convention, specifically those relating to the questionnaires on Conference agenda items (Article 5(1)(a)); the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference to Parliament (Article 5(1)(b)); the re examination at appropriate intervals of unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)); reports to be presented on the application of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(d)); and proposals for denunciation of ratified conventions (Article 5(1)(d)). The Committee also requests the Government to supply a copy of the standing orders providing for the new composition of the Provincial Tripartite Consultative Committees of Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh.