ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: The ministry of labour and manpower has been directed to submit Industrial Relations Ordinance Amendment Bill-2004 under compliance issues of WTO to the cabinet by next week.
The ministry of environment has also been asked to complete the formalities for setting up of effluent treatment plants by the textile industry by the end of current month. These directives were issued by Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaqat Ali Jatoi while presiding over 110th meeting of the Federal Textile Board.
An official statement said the minister took serious note of the delay in the IRO amendment bill by the ministry of labour for more than one year and directed for submission of the draft bill to the cabinet next week.
He also asked the environment ministry to complete the negotiation and other procedural matters with the Asian Development Bank on slashing the mark-up rate on its loan of $10 million and the textile association by end of this month for setting up of effluent treatment plants.
He said the WTO regime will take place from January 2005 and the textile sector will have to meet these challenges regarding labour welfare, environment, health, human safety and other related matters otherwise Pakistan's exports will badly suffer.
Mr Jatoi said over 70 per cent of our exports were based on textile and failure of compliance issues would hurt export earnings. All the related ministries and the associations will have to work hard to meet the challenges of WTO and to enhance the exports, he said.
The meeting was also informed by the SMEDA that two banks have allocated Rs230 million for technology, upgradation of power looms, as share of power looms in made up exports is more than $950 million which is a major part of textile exports.
The upgradation will give multiple effect for made up exports, increase market share in post quota share and improve quality of raw material production. The allocation will be raised on the basis of applications. The National Productivity Organization (NPO) told the meeting on the project for replacement of old power looms with new machines in various cities.