GADANI, BALOCHISTAN —A delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO), led by Country Director Geir T. Tonstol, visited the Gadani Shipbreaking Yard to review progress under the Ship Recycling Project, a joint initiative working to improve safety, health, and environmental standards in Pakistan’s ship recycling industry.
The visit was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Pakistan Ship Breakers Association (PSBA), and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, which funds the project. The delegation included ILO officials, representatives of PSBA, and Abdullah Gauhar Malik, Digital Lead at Pakistan Observer, who joined to document and highlight the industry’s ongoing transformation.
The team toured several operational yards where workers were seen wearing protective gear, attending safety briefings, and operating within designated areas for hazardous waste — a visible shift in a sector long associated with unsafe and unregulated practices.
Speaking during the visit, ILO Country Director Geir T. Tonstol praised the progress, stating that “Pakistan’s ratification of the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships reflects a clear commitment to protect both workers and the environment.”
Naeem Khalid, National Project Coordinator for the ILO’s Ship Recycling Project, explained that the initiative has introduced structured training programmes for workers and supervisors, promoted the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and supported the development of hazardous waste management systems in selected yards. The ILO has also assisted in establishing structured safety briefings, emergency response systems, and a purpose-built training and welfare centre equipped with classrooms, welfare offices, and safety demonstration areas.
Khalid added that these interventions are helping to build a culture of accountability and prevention that the industry has historically lacked. “Our goal is to create a safer, cleaner, and more competitive ship recycling sector — one that Pakistan can take pride in again,” he said.
Once one of the world’s largest shipbreaking hubs, Gadani has suffered a sharp decline in recent years due to outdated practices and non-compliance with international standards. At its peak, the industry employed more than 30,000 workers across 130 active yards. Today, only a few remain operational. However, the ongoing reforms — supported by the ILO, Norwegian partners, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs — signal a gradual move toward modernization and responsible industry practices.
Abdullah Gauhar Malik of Pakistan Observer said the visit was an important reminder of the link between industrial reform and human dignity. “Gadani reflects both the resilience and neglect that define much of Pakistan’s labour sector. The ILO’s work here is not just about compliance; it’s about restoring safety and respect for the men who have kept this coastline alive,” he observed.
Concluding the visit, Mr. Tonstol emphasized that sustainable progress would depend on “continued cooperation between the government, private sector, and workers themselves.” He reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to ensure decent work, safer workplaces, and sustainable industrial growth.
The Ship Recycling Project represents an ongoing partnership between national and international stakeholders working to revive Pakistan’s ship recycling sector as a model of fair, safe, and environmentally responsible industry. With sustained commitment and oversight, Gadani could once again become a symbol of progress — built not on scale, but on standards.
