Islamabad: Representatives from government, employers’, and workers’ organizations unanimously endorsed a resolution aimed at addressing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) gaps and strengthening OSH standards for safer, healthier workplaces across the country. The two-day National Tripartite Labour Conference, held after 15 years, concluded today with a pledge to improve governance structures to strengthen OSH, especially in high-risk sectors. The closing event was attended by Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, along with representatives from ILO, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and development partner organizations.

According to Press Information Department, the landmark conference was convened by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlighting the importance of ratifying core ILO OSH conventions, strengthening social dialogue, and ensuring a unified approach to labour reforms across provinces. Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, in his closing remarks, stated that the conference is only the beginning and sets the foundation for ongoing collaboration and dialogue. He emphasized the focus on mobilizing resources and implementing tangible projects, particularly in high-risk and priority sectors.

Geir Tonstol, Country Director for ILO Pakistan, stressed the importance of utilizing the outcomes of the conference to promote OSH through policies, partnerships, advocacy, training, and capacity building. He noted that a tripartite approach, in alignment with the government’s initiatives, will bolster social dialogue and strengthen the fabric of the country. Dr. Arshad Mahmood, the Federal Secretary, OPHRD, presented a joint declaration underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to gender-sensitive occupational safety and health (OSH) policies aimed at better protecting women workers.

The conference featured various panel discussions, including OSH in female-dominated sectors, tripartism for industrial harmony, OSH in high-risk sectors, and recent ratifications of international labour standards. The conference declaration emphasizes the importance of collaboration among government, employers, and workers to promote a preventive OSH culture that brings long-term business benefits. It also promotes the use of new technologies to improve worker safety in high-risk sectors such as mining, construction, and ship recycling.

Through the declaration, all stakeholders – government, employers, and workers – pledge to address gender disparities in workplace safety, mitigate risks in high-risk industries, promote a culture of prevention, and ensure the ratification and enforcement of key labour conventions.