International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo will visit Pakistan from October 6 to 9 to hold meetings with government officials, employers and workers and discuss key labour and workplace priorities.
The visit, at the invitation of the Pakistani government, will be Houngbo’s first official trip to the country since he assumed office as ILO Director-General in October 2022.
During his stay, Houngbo is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain. He will also meet the chief ministers of Sindh and Punjab during visits to Karachi and Lahore.
In Karachi, the ILO chief will attend an event marking the 75th anniversary of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan. He will also visit the Gadani shipyards to review ILO-supported efforts to improve safety, working conditions and environmental standards in the industry.
During his Lahore visit, Houngbo will meet workers’ representatives and visit Millat Tractors, where he will interact with employees and representatives of the Workers’ and Employers’ Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP).
The visit is expected to reinforce cooperation between the ILO and Pakistan and support joint efforts to promote decent work, occupational safety and health, improved working conditions and social justice.
