Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the importance of a robust partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), focusing on job creation, skills development, and safe labour migration. He called for a more results-oriented collaboration with enhanced technical support during a meeting with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

According to Press Information Department, President Zardari underscored the significance of ILO’s tripartite system and social dialogue, advocating for a stronger implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme 2023-27. He outlined the necessity for ILO’s support in developing a comprehensive Pakistan Fair and Safe Labour Migration Framework and proposed an initiative titled “From Skills to Global Jobs” to align vocational training with international labour demands.

Additionally, President Zardari requested ILO’s assistance in fortifying labour-migration corridors with regions such as the Gulf, Europe, and East Asia. He also emphasized the need to enhance Pakistan’s labour-market information system, linked to the country’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 160 on Labour Statistics.

During the meeting, President Zardari acknowledged the ILO’s contributions under Mr. Houngbo’s leadership, notably the Global Coalition for Social Justice and the adoption of Convention No. 193 on Decent Work in the Platform Economy. He also highlighted Pakistan’s ratification of key ILO instruments in 2025, seeking technical assistance for their implementation.

Mr. Houngbo expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s cooperation with the ILO and confirmed the organization’s commitment to collaborate on issues such as decent work, social justice, and labour migration. The meeting involved senior officials from both the ILO and the Pakistani government, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing labour policies and practices.