Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Pakistan (FES Pakistan), in collaboration with Public Service International (PSI) and Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), successfully organized a “Public Hearing on Privatization and Public Debt in Pakistan” on Sunday.The event aimed to address the pressing issues related to privatization policies and public debt and their impact on workers’ rights and public welfare in the country.
The public hearing commenced with opening remarks from Mr. Abdullah Dayo, Programme Advisor of FES Pakistan, who warmly welcomed the distinguished panelists, PSI officials, SHRC, trade unionists, and PSI affiliates and welcomed distinguished panelists on the stage.
Kannan Raman, Sub-regional Secretary for South Asia at Public Services International (PSI) a prominent labor advocate, passionately voiced his concerns about the adverse effects of privatization policies during the historic Public Hearing. Drawing attention to the underfunding of public services, impacts on low-income families, and marginalized groups, Brother Kannan stressed the urgent need for transparency in privatization processes and highlighted the importance of protecting workers’ rights and promoting resilient trade unions for a more equitable work environment in the country.Followed by him Kate Lapin, a fervent advocate for labour rights and Regional Secretary for PSI Asia and Pacific, made significant contributions.
Ms. Lapin’s speech highlighted three crucial points: First, she underscored the repercussions of conditionalities imposed by international financial institutions (IFIs), emphasizing how they can adversely impact labor rights and human welfare in the country. Second, Sister Kate passionately advocated for the necessity of strong public services to combat the challenges posed by the climate crisis, stressing their role in ensuring the well-being of communities.
Third, she emphasized the importance of resilient staff and government effectiveness, particularly in the context of privatization, to uphold the rights and welfare of the populace. Sister Kate’s expertise and dedication have been instrumental in promoting labor rights and public welfare, both within Pakistan and on the global stage.Dr. Kaiser Bengali, a renowned senior economist, highlighted the misconception that industrialization is solely due to the private sector, noting that public sectors, particularly PIDC, have played a crucial role in promoting industrial growth in Pakistan.
He stressed the need to strike a balance between public-centric and private-centric norms and called for united efforts to protect workers’ rights.Senior Economist Ms. Iffat Ara emphasized the significance of planning and processes before privatizing any establishment, emphasizing the need to safeguard labor rights and state-owned profits.
She called for setting mandates for the state, focusing on national interests, increasing foreign reserves, and prioritizing economic growth through enhanced exports. Ms. Ara also stressed the potential of public-private partnerships in the manufacturing sector and emphasized the collective effort required to safeguard human rights. Ms. Nuzhat Shireen, Chairperson of Sindh Commission for the Status of Women raised concerns about the lack of representation of women in trade unions and public sectors.
