ISLAMABAD: The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the embassy of the Netherlands signed here on Tuesday an agreement to train labour inspectors and improve working conditions of labourers.

During the three-year project “Strengthening Labour Inspection Systems for International Labour Standards Compliance in Pakistan,” efforts will be made to strengthen institutional mechanisms for effective labour inspections and enforce the law on labour inspections. Steps will be taken for legislation on labour standards as it is one of the requirements of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony, Secretary of overseas Pakistanis and human resource development, Sikandar Ismail Khan, said that although the subject of labour had been devolved after 18th Amendment, the federal government was helping the provincial governments in strengthening the labour administration system.

Acting Ambassador of the Netherlands Renate Pors said that she was happy to see that the Pakistani authorities were conscious about what was at stake for the economy, employment and the rights of its citizens.

“The Netherlands is contributing its share through this programme and as a friend of Pakistan, we ask its government to assume its responsibilities too,” she said.

ILO Country Director Francesco d’Ovidio said that the project was designed to refresh labour inspection system and enhance its effectiveness and coverage according to international standards.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play