First meeting of the Project Advisory Committee of Strengthening Labour Inspection System for Promoting Labour Standards and ensuring Workplace Compliance in Pakistan (SLISP) Project

1st meeting of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was convened at the Ministry of OPHRD on 23rd November 2016.

Press release | Islamabad, Pakistan | 01 December 2016
ISLAMABAD (ILO News): 1st meeting of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was convened at the Ministry of OPHRD on 23rd November 2016. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of OPHRD, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Textile and Industries, Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF), Provincial Departments of Labour of the Governments of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab and Sindh, ILO CO Islamabad officials and the Honorable Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Islamabad.

The Honorable Ambassador Ms Jeannette Seppen, who was also accompanied by Mr Rick Slettenhaar - First Secretary of Economic Affairs at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Islamabad expressed her gratitude on the high level of participation and the interest of the PAC members and expressed that her Government was fully committed to support the government of Pakistan and the ILO for strengthening of Labour Inspection system in Pakistan.

Mr Zishan Ahmad, National Project Coordinator (NPC), highlighted the so far achievements including i) National level project launching ceremony, ii) National tripartite plus consultation with stakeholders and social partners, iii) developing and showcasing a national level report on OSH legal framework and statistical trend analysis through MOPHRD, iv) [draft] National Labour Inspection and OSH profile, v) development of Provincial Actions Plan to strengthen Labour inspection machinery, vi) Training of Labour Inspectors of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and vii) capacity building activities for federal and provincial governments and social partners.

Mr Zishan also highlighted that the project in the coming semester envisages to i) complete the training of Labour Inspectors of KP, Sindh and Punjab, ii) develop labour inspection toolkit, iii) carry out a study to map Private Compliance Initiatives, iv) initiate support to MOPHRD for hosting a labour inspection MIS interfacing the provincial DOLs, v) support MOPHRD to include labour inspection as an agenda item on FTCC/PTCCs, vi) develop a cadre of Master Trainers on OSH, vii) awareness raising and promotional activities.

Mr Khawaja Nauman, President EFP, registered EFP’s commitment towards a stronger Labour Inspection System in Pakistan for compliance with International Labour Standards (ILS) thereby boosting Pakistan’s economic status in international markets. Mr Zahoor Awan, General Secretary PWF, further stressed on the need of having a strong Labour Inspection system in order to prevent occupational accidents and diseases and safeguard labour rights.

The Ministry of OPHRD relented its immense appreciation to the project endeavors whilst highlighting the need of having a centrally coordinated Management Information System (MIS) for labour inspection reporting. The Provincial Departments of Labour displayed their strongest ownership of the Provincial Action Plans (PAPs) to strengthen the Labour Inspection system and affirmed that every possible measure will be taken to advance PAPs.

Ms Ingrid Christensen, Director ILO CO Islamabad casted her vote of thanks to the PAC members for attending and sharing views and ideas at the meeting. Labour Inspection is an important component of any Labour Administration system and contributes to the social, economic and just development. Strengthening the labour inspection system in Pakistan is one of the focus areas in the Decent Work Country Programme III 2016-2020.