Islamabad: In a significant move to bolster policymaking with factual accuracy, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has initiated an intensive five-day training program in Islamabad. The workshop, focused on “Evidence-based Policymaking for Decent Work and Social Justice,” aims to empower Pakistani stakeholders with the necessary tools to navigate and implement policies grounded in verifiable data and research.
According to International Labour Organization, the training, scheduled from September 2-6, 2024, is crafted to enhance the capabilities of participants in critically assessing and utilizing evidence. This initiative is expected to lead to more informed, transparent, and effective policymaking in Pakistan, particularly in areas prioritized under the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) IV, which was agreed upon by tripartite constituents in May 2023.
The program is in collaboration with the ILO’s Research Department and the ILO Country Office in Pakistan. It has brought together government officials, trade union representatives, and employer associations for a comprehensive educational experience. Naren Prasad, Head of Education and Training for Research at ILO, highlighted the training’s importance, stating that the program equips participants with the necessary skills to transform solid evidence into actionable policies. This effort aims to ensure that the pursuit of social justice in Pakistan is both informed and impactful. He emphasized that the training will provide a robust toolkit of research methods, analytical tools, and databases essential for developing, advocating, and influencing policies that promote decent work.
The training covers critical topics such as migration, minimum wage setting, and informality in the labor market. By the end of the program, each participant is expected to draft and present a policy brief on a selected topic, applying the tools and knowledge acquired during the training.
Geir Tonstol, Country Director for ILO Pakistan, remarked on the significance of the training, pointing out that it represents a fulfillment of ILO’s commitment to strengthening policymaking in Pakistan. He noted that generating data and assimilating information to understand job growth sectors, required skills, and decent work deficits are crucial for informing social dialogue and policy discourse at all levels.