KARACHI, June 28: Pakistan, in a short span of four and a half decades, has experienced four labour policies, one after an other, issued by successive governments from 1956 to 1972.

This was stated by director-general, National Institute of Labour Administration Training (NILAT), Syed Hakim Ali Shah Bukhari, while speaking at a two-week course on ‘Basic Labour Laws and its enforcement’, on Saturday.

Mr Bukhari said each of these labour policies claimed to provide an industrial relations structure, which was said to be most responsive to the country’s social and economic needs.

He said the present government has issued the fifth labour policy, 2002, which was under discussion.

Mr Bukhari urged the participants that they should act according to labour laws, in their respective organisations and observe discipline at their work places.

The objectives of the course were to impart the latest knowledge to the participants, about the labour laws, and to acquaint them with the working of industrial relations system in the country, in the light of the Labour Policy, 2002.

The course was attended by 50 participants from all over the country representing employers, organizations, departments, multinational corporations, NGO’s, women organisations, besides some fresh graduates from the Karachi University.

Labour Policy 2002, Industrial Relations Ordinance, 2002, Social Security Ordinance, 1965, ILO Conventions and Recommendations, Labour Judiciary in Pakistan, Labour Administration System in Pakistan, grievance handling, collective bargaining, Factories Act, 1934, Payment of Wages Act, 1936, Workers, Welfare Fund Ordinance, Employees old Age Benefit Act, 1976, Labour Management Relations, Workman Compensation Act, Special Power Ordinance, 2000, employment related issue, i.e termination, lay off, strike and lock out etc, were discussed at the course.

The suggestions and recommendations made at the course included:

The present labour laws were outdated and must be improved, updated and simplified according to the present requirements; implementation of labour laws must be ensured in true spirit, at all levels; the government should devise policies to enhance employment in the country; training facilities at the NILAT should be augmented through increasing budgetary allocation according to its needs, with a view to operate it more efficiently; more regional centres of NILAT, particularly, at provincial headquarters, should also be opened.—APP