ISLAMABAD: In a bid to promote safer and healthier workplaces for all, delegates from government as well as employers’ and workers’ organisations stood united at the ‘National Tripartite Labour Conference’ to reaffirm their commitment to prioritising Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a fundamental element of inclusive, sustainable development and decent work for all.

Convened by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Pakistan’s first tripartite national labour conference in 15 years opened in Islamabad on Monday.

ILO Assistant Director-General, Hao Bin stated that Pakistan had demonstrated remarkable dedication to prioritising occupational safety and health, despite the economic strains the country has faced.

The conference comes at a time when Pakistan is set to ratify three ILO conventions: the Maritime Labour Convention, Protocol on Forced Labour and the Labour Statistics Convention. This not only demonstrates the government’s commitment, but also the political willingness to address critical world of work issues.

Minister of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, while speaking at the two-day conference, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting a safe and secure work environment where every worker feels valued and protected.

The government places immense importance on OSH and worker welfare because we understand that a healthy workforce is a more productive workforce, he said, adding that by prioritising OSH, we are not only protecting the lives and well-being of our workers but also ensuring the sustainability and longevity of our industries.

Worker representative Zahur Awan, who is also a member of ILO governing body, said there had been numerous incidents impacting occupational safety and health of workers across the region, including the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh and the Baldia factory fire in Karachi.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024