ISLAMABAD, The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently held a workshop with stakeholders to assess and validate the outcomes of their project, “Promotion of Decent Work Opportunities for the Economic Empowerment of Vulnerable Segments of Society.” Since its inception in 2019, the initiative has made significant strides in the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with testimonials from participants underscoring its transformative impact on their lives.

According to UN Information Centre, the project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), has been particularly influential in regions such as Balochistan, where it facilitated the formation of the first-ever trade union in the brick kiln sector. This establishment has empowered workers by providing a structured platform for collective bargaining on labour matters.

One notable success of the initiative was its support in the creation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Social Protection Policy in 2022, designed to bolster social protection coverage quality and sufficiency. This has fostered a safer and more equitable milieu for vulnerable groups.

Held at ILO’s Islamabad office, the event saw representatives from the Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and development partners. They gathered to review the project’s advancements, including its endorsement of the Government of Pakistan’s environmental conservation efforts and reduced carbon emission objectives. Specifically, the project championed the adoption of the zig-zag technique, which has elevated both the occupational safety of brick kiln workers and their overall productivity.

Geir Tonstol, Director of ILO’s Country Office for Pakistan, expressed gratitude to AICS for its substantial backing. He also emphasized the project’s significant strides in advocating for improved work conditions, particularly within the brick kiln sector. “The project addressed glaring work deficits by bolstering social protection, environmental sustainability, and by liaising with public entities on matters of investment, skills, and job creation,” Tonstol stated.

AICS’s Country Director, Francesco Zatta, commended the project’s promotion of environmentally conscious practices within brick kilns. “AICS is staunchly behind Pakistan in its mission to ensure environmental safeguarding and counteract climate change effects. We also praise the project’s establishment of an efficient one-window system for social protection, especially its role in cataloging workers and their families, allowing them to capitalize on social protection schemes,” Zatta mentioned.

Azhar Iqbal Malik, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, spoke about the Ministry’s devotion to fostering decent work and financial empowerment as tools to enhance the welfare of the vulnerable. “It is evident that access to quality jobs not only augments living standards but also bolsters individual dignity and self-worth,” Malik said.