ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Human Rights on Thursday launched the first ever national action plan on business and human rights that would help advance relations between the business community and the working class.

“The action plan is based on the desires to respect and protect the working conditions and fulfillment of human rights,” said Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment Abdul Razzak Dawood while speaking at the launch with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He said the European Union had given duty free access to their markets and in return Pakistan had to implement some good business values. However, there is still a need for much work particularly at SMEs level to protect the rights of workers.

Acknowledging the efforts of the Ministry of Human Rights, Mr Dawood said the preparation and adoption of the national action plan would improve the quality of life in the country by developing a fruitful interaction among stakeholders of the business community and the working class.

He welcomed the action items aimed at promoting responsible conduct of businesses and termed it a major landmark in the fulfillment of commitments of Pakistan under the GSP Plus status.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Aliona Niculita, ambassadors of various countries and diplomats were also present in the ceremony.

Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said the government had given top priority to human rights and Pakistan was the first country in South Asia that had devised and launched such an action plan.

She said an inter-ministerial implementation committee would be constituted taking all business communities, chambers of commerce and labour unions on board to ensure the implementation of the plan in a pre-defined timeframe.

She said the government was concerned about the rights of women and children at workplace and concrete steps would be taken to check harassment at workplace.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2021