FREE AND ORGANIZED WORKERS AN ASSET FOR PAKISTAN, SAYS OUTGOING ILO DIRECTOR

Press Release
PI/1164
SAG/53

FREE AND ORGANIZED WORKERS AN ASSET FOR PAKISTAN, SAYS OUTGOING ILO DIRECTOR

ISLAMABAD, 13 August (UN Information Centre) -- On the day he ended his assignment in Pakistan, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director Dani Appave struck a mostly optimistic yet, realistic note about the progress of labour policies in the country. Speaking at the regular press briefing at the United Nations Information Centre, he took pride in the quasi elimination of child labour in the soccer industry, and he spoke of his hope that Pakistani trade unions could sooner or later become "partners" of the Government.

Mr. Appave indicated that changes at the international level had undoubtedly generated a positive affect on Pakistan. These included the adoption of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in June 1998, the added impetus created by the arrival of Juan Somavia at the helm of the Organization in March, and the adoption of the ILO Convention on the Prohibition and Immediate Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in June.

Mentioning the question of child labour as one of the most obvious areas of progress in Pakistan, the outgoing ILO Director underlined the success encountered in the area of Sialkot (province of Punjab), which produces millions of soccer balls annually. "Very few children are now working in this industry, not even sweeping the floor. Adults have replaced them and manufacture a better product; business owners are therefore, making larger profits because their consumers abroad are satisfied", he said. He noted that United States President Clinton has praised this project. "This is a source of satisfaction for us, and we hope to extend our efforts to the carpet industry and the fabrication of surgical instruments, where many Pakistani children are still employed", stated Mr. Appave.

While recognizing that a number of challenges arose recently against freedom of association, with the adoption of restrictive ordinances and decrees, Mr. Appave stated that there were encouraging developments. The new manpower and labour policy, in particular, emphasizes the will of the Pakistani Government to remove all impediments to the effective implementation of international agreements. In this regard, a Commission has begun its work, with assistance provided by ILO, to review, reclassify and regroup labour

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laws. This raises the hope that limitations to freedom of association currently contained in the national legislation will be effectively removed, paving the way for a healthy and productive social dialogue.

"If we want the country to progress, I think we need to see a free and active trade union movement. A stable and skilled workforce would be a strong weapon for Pakistan in the global business environment", concluded Mr. Appave. He also mentioned that the immediate past has seen the forging of new relationships towards the promotion of better awareness among workers. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and ILO, for instance, are finalizing technical cooperation activities with regard to HIV/AIDS.

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