KARACHI: Rights activists on Friday welcomed the extension of the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) Plus facility to Pakistan for the next two years and demanded that the government take ‘serious’ measures to implement the recommendations asserted by the European Union vis-à-vis 27 international conventions required to be complied by under the scheme.

Addressing a joint press conference at the launch of the second media bulletin on GSP Plus, prepared by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler), at the Karachi Press Club, the civil society leaders hoped the GSP Plus would benefit local industries.

Karamat Ali of Piler, Habibuddin Junaidi of Sindh Labour Solidarity Committee, Mahnaz Rahman of Aurat Foundation, Saeed Balochi of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Zahid Farooque of Urban Resource Centre, and Seema Maheshwari of Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network addressed the media.

“The government should realise that we are not compliant to most of international conventions and this extension of GSP Plus facility has provided us an opportunity to make serious efforts for improvement in the situation pertaining to human rights and labour rights,” said Karamat Ali.

The speakers said Pakistan had already ratified 27 international conventions vis-à-vis human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and good governance, but “no serious measure has been taken to implement those conventions. It is our duty to make laws and institutions to implement these conventions,” said a speaker.

In the review report EU had acknowledged some positive developments in Pakistan in making laws, but had also pointed out little effort to implement of such laws, he said.

Mr Ali quoted the EU’s second report on two-year review on Pakistan, presented in the EU Parliament on January 19, 2018. He said the EU had indicated many deficiencies in implementing the relevant laws.

“The EU has expressed serious concerns in the review report over deteriorating situation of compliance of human rights and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

“Increased incidents of enforced disappearance, attacks on minorities, misuse of blasphemy laws, curbs on free use of right of association and freedom of expression, lack of social security and occupation health and safety and fair trial in judicial system, all these require serious attention for improvement,” he said.

The experts said in its concluding section the EU report had indicated that the government had not taken effective action to address the widespread use of torture.

They added the application of the death penalty and executions remain a grave concern, while a review of the crimes carrying death penalty would be a welcome first step in the right direction.

“While some actions have been taken regarding freedom of religion or belief, for example against hate speech, the blasphemy laws and related campaigns in social media, and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities continue to be a concern,” said a speaker.

Regarding the labour laws, rights leaders said Sindh had taken some serious measures as a large number labour laws had been made by the Sindh Assembly.

“For the first time, Sindh government organised a tripartite labour conference, which is mandatory under the ILO conventions. The provincial government of Sindh has recently issued the first ever labour policy after devolution of powers under the 18th Amendment,” said a speaker.

“We demand all other provinces to hold tripartite labour conferences and announce labour policies,” he added.

Mr Ali urged the industrialists to cooperate with workers and should not create hindrances in the functioning of trade unions.

Habibuddin Junaidi said the Sindh government had constituted a labour standing committee after the Sindh Tripartite Labour Conference with equal representation from industries and workers.

He said the government’s representation was only 20 per cent, adding, the standing committee in its first meeting had expressed serious concern on the lower rate under the minimum wage law.

“How can a family survive with a meager amount of Rs15,000 per month fixed for unskilled workers,” he asked. “In many industries, this minimum wage is also not implemented.”

Seema Maheshwari said enforced disappearances and issue of missing persons was a major area of concern for the rights defenders.

“The defenders must be protected,” she demanded, adding, the government must ensure the right of fair trial and due process of law. “In case there are any cases against anyone, one can be arrested and tried in a court of law. Any unconstitutional and illegal method to detain citizens is a cause of concern.” She demanded for the end of impunity given to the state functionaries.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2018

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