KARACHI – International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo praised Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) for its 75-year contribution to the country’s economic and social development, calling for stronger collaboration among governments, employers and workers to promote enterprise growth, investment, innovation and decent employment.
Addressing EFP Platinum Jubilee celebration at Governor House, Sindh, during his first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office in 2022, Houngbo said the Federation’s seven-and-a-half-decade journey reflected “continuity, leadership and the ability to adapt” through major changes in Pakistan’s economic and social landscape.
He congratulated successive generations of EFP leaders and members and acknowledged the contribution of Pakistani workers whose skills and efforts have helped enterprises, industries and the wider economy grow and compete.
ILO chief calls EFP key constituent of ILO’s unique tripartite system and a valued partner in shaping the future of work. Houngbo said the EFP anniversary came at an important moment for the ILO, with employers and other social partners increasingly calling for an organisation that is more agile, balanced, impartial and closely connected to realities on the ground.
He said the ILO must place greater emphasis on helping countries move from the ratification of international labour standards towards their effective implementation.
“Implementation cannot be achieved by governments alone,” he said, stressing the important role of employers in translating labour principles into practical workplace systems.
He highlighted responsible management practices, occupational safety and health, responsible supply chains, skills development and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work as key areas where employers can make a tangible contribution.
ILO chief stressed that compliance with labour standards should not be viewed merely as an obligation but as an opportunity to strengthen productivity, resilience, market access and confidence in enterprises. Referring to initiatives such as Better Work, he said cooperation among enterprises, workers, governments, international buyers and the ILO could produce practical results for both businesses and workers.
Houngbo also placed particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises, saying a supportive environment for SMEs was essential for sustainable enterprise development and job creation.
His remarks come as Pakistan seeks to strengthen industrial growth, productivity and the competitiveness of its labour market. During his Pakistan visit, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif called for greater ILO support for international certification and professional training of Pakistani skilled workers, while highlighting the importance of SMEs in strengthening economic activity and employment.
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Addressing rapid transformation of world of work, Houngbo said ILO must help its constituents navigate artificial intelligence and technological change so that productivity gains translate into new skills, decent employment and greater innovation. He stressed that technological progress should be accompanied by investment in people and skills, enabling workers and enterprises to benefit from emerging opportunities.
ILO chief also underscored the importance of sustainable enterprises in generating employment, saying economic growth, investment and formalization should advance alongside decent work.
Houngbo reaffirmed that the ILO’s credibility depends on effective tripartism and meaningful dialogue among governments, employers and workers. He said all three constituencies must be genuinely heard as countries respond to changing economic conditions, technological transformation and new labour-market challenges.
The message closely echoed the broader direction of his Pakistan visit, which includes high-level meetings with government leaders, engagement with employers and workers, and visits to workplaces. ILO has said the visit is intended to strengthen its longstanding partnership with Pakistan and advance shared priorities on decent work and social justice.
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Platinum Jubilee celebrations marked a significant milestone for EFP, established in 1950 and described as Pakistan’s oldest employers’ organisation. Over the decades, the Federation has developed a broad role in employer representation, industrial relations, policy advocacy, skills development and responsible business practices.
EFP President Majyd Aziz said the organisation was preparing to enter a new phase with greater emphasis on industrial peace, social dialogue and cooperation between employers and workers. He highlighted the role of the Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP) as an important platform for social dialogue and said both sides were working towards a new social contract.
Federation has also expanded its agenda to include business and human rights, responsible business conduct, human rights due diligence, just transition, climate resilience, environmental sustainability and green skills.
The presence of ILO Director-General at the Platinum Jubilee was seen as a significant recognition of EFP’s role within Pakistan’s industrial and international labour architecture. ILO officials have said Houngbo’s four-day Pakistan visit, from October 6 to 9, is focused on strengthening cooperation with the government, employers and workers. His programme includes meetings with the country’s political leadership, engagement with workers and employers, a visit to the Gadani ship recycling yards and a workplace visit in Lahore.
For Pakistan, the visit provides an opportunity to deepen international cooperation on labour standards, skills, safe workplaces, labour migration and sustainable employment.
In his concluding statement, Houngbo expressed hope that EFP would remain a strong voice for Pakistani enterprises and continue to build bridges between competitiveness and responsibility, innovation and inclusion, and economic progress and social justice. “The ILO looks forward to continuing that journey with you all,” he said, congratulating the Federation on its Platinum Jubilee.
