Employment-based policies to help reduce poverty: experts
By A Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: Employment-based strategies can reduce poverty in Pakistan and help prepare economy and people of the country to meet demands of modern labour market.
This was the gist of arguments presented by speakers at a seminar on "Employment-based Poverty Reduction Strategy for Decent Work in Pakistan", held on Monday under the auspices of the Planning Commission, International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Various issues related to poverty, employment, labour market and social security were deliberated upon during the day-long proceedings. Speakers included people from all relevant quarters such as government officials, international organizations, researchers and representatives from the employees federation and trade unions.
Speaking as chief guest, Planning commission chairman Dr M. Akram Sheikh stressed on creating an economically just society in Pakistan. He highlighted the need to remove economic disparities among various regions and ethnic groups, that could have serious repercussions on the security of the country.
Mr Sheikh also called for creating the right atmosphere for small and medium enterprises. "There is a need to diversify the product line. In this regard, multinational companies have to share technology with local manufacturers. More jobs need to be created, but for that we have to first identify the international demand," he observed.
Chairman of the Employment Committee of ILO Shaukat Umer focused on poverty reduction through employment-based strategies. These included creation of favourable investment climate, improving access to education and formal training facilities, implementation of micro-credit schemes, empowerment of local governments, diversification of exports and incorporation of gender perspective in poverty alleviation policies.
ILO employment and planning director Dr Rashid Amjad, in his statement, said issues of unemployment and poverty were at the centre of global concerns and of the highest priority for governments world over.
Sketching a gloomy picture of global employment and poverty situation, he said out of world labour force of about 3 billion, 1 billion were either unemployed, underemployed or the working poor i.e. workers living on less than $1 a day.
"About 178 million boys and girls are engaged in worst forms of child labour. Women in most parts still remain overworked, underpaid and discriminated in the labour market."
The participants were of the opinion that employment should be prioritized in economic and social policy making and recognized as the most effective method of reducing poverty.
They also focused on the quality of existing jobs and emphasized on sustained productivity growth as a sustainable route for creating more and better jobs. Stress was laid on promoting opportunities for people to acquire decent work in an atmosphere of equality, equity, income security and dignity if poverty had to be eradicated from low income countries.
Those who spoke on the occasion included UNDP deputy resident representative Lena Lindberg, Dr Pervez Tahir, chief economist, Planning and Development Division, ILO director Donglin Li, and secretary labour Humayun Farshori.
