LAHORE: The Better Work Programme (BWP) will help improve Pakistan’s compliance and exhibit its commitment to improve labour welfare, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director Ms Ingrid Christensen said on Thursday.

Sharing details about the project during a consultative session at Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, Ms Christensen said the BWP aims to improve working conditions in textile industry and make the sector more competitive by enabling collaboration between government, global brands, factory owners and workers.

“This program includes a comprehensive framework on improving industrial relations through training and compliance with International labour standards including occupational safety and health, nature of employment, discrimination and other forms of labour practices as well as strengthening employers and workers organisations in textile industry,” she said.

Addressing the session, Joint Secretary Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Atika Riffat said the foreign trade has a lot of attached responsibilities as the international buyers are increasingly getting sensitive about ethical sourcing and international compliances.

“We have carried out various interventions to improve working conditions in the country. There are also a number of avenues where the Textile Industries in Pakistan in collaboration with ILO, can bring improvements in the work practices thus enabling more exports to Europe,” she said.

Earlier, PTEA Chairman Sohail Pasha appreciated the concerted efforts of the government to pave the way for enhanced sourcing of Pakistani products by leading international buyers by initiating the BWP in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2019