A significant two-day Tripartite National Labor Conference, co-hosted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Geneva and Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, concluded with a strong emphasis on occupational safety and health (OSH) standards. The conference brought together government officials, employers, and labor unions from across Pakistan to discuss and address critical labor issues.
On the final day of the conference, Mian Akram Farid, Chairman of the Central Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), former Senior Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) , and former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI), delivered a keynote address.
Focusing on the implementation of international labor laws, particularly occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, in Pakistan’s industries, he noted that according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, there are approximately 445,500 large and small factories in Pakistan contributing 64% to the country’s GDP.
He highlighted the significant progress made in recent years in aligning Pakistan’s industries with ILO occupational safety and health (OSH) labor standards. However, he also pointed out instances where workers have been negligent in using safety equipment provided by employers, leading to accidents. To address this, he emphasized the importance of regular safety training for workers.
