Shariq Ahmed, Secretary of the Labour and Human Resource Department, Government of Sindh, highlighted the significance of bipartite and tripartite social dialogue in promoting the principles outlined in the MNE Declaration and implementing best business practices in the workplace. He emphasized the importance of such dialogue for ensuring the social protection of workers and fostering enterprise sustainability. These remarks were made during the Tripartite Meeting on Promoting the MNE Declaration, organized by the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Majyd Aziz, the Former President of EFP, along with Qamar ul Hassan, Secretary General of IUF Pakistan Coordinating Council, Karamat Ali, Director of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, Habib Uddin Junaidi, Central Chairman of All Pakistan Trade Union Organization, Aqib Salam, Head of Employee Relations at K-Electric, Humayun Nazir, Board Director, and Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General at EFP, also addressed the occasion. Shariq Ahmed appreciated the efforts of EFP in creating awareness among stakeholders about the Principles of the MNE Declaration and the role local and multinational enterprises can play in the socio-economic development and realization of decent work.
In the internationally connected business environment, compliance with international standards and local legislation is becoming compulsory for business and there is no other way. Majyd Aziz, Former President of EFP highlighted the importance and significance of the Declaration in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and responsible business practices at the workplace.
He added that with the formation of the Special Industrial Facilitation Council, there is optimism that huge foreign direct investment would be possible and this would also encourage the already existing MNCs in Pakistan to enhance their investment and scope of activities. Qamar ul Hassan, Secretary General IUF Pakistan Coordinating Council said that the MNE Declaration, OECD guidelines for a better job, and the United Nations Human Rights all tell us about responsible business and how the stakeholders can play their due role in making businesses more and more responsible and protecting the rights of workers and the development of the communities.
He emphasized that when businesses engage in CSR, their foremost priority should be their workers, followed by the community. Habib Uddin Junaidi, Central Chairman, All Pakistan Trade Union Organization talked about the weak social protection system and the vulnerability of workers due to non-compliance with labour laws and weak institutions for inspection.
He said the MNE Declaration is an instrument that guides both national and international organizations in promoting responsible business and decent work.
