Pakistan’s Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, made a compelling commitment to uphold the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) core principles and protect workers’ rights.
Speaking at the 113th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, the minister emphasized the nation’s dedication to collaborating with global partners for a future of dignity, fairness, and shared prosperity.
Hussain announced Pakistan’s ratification of three pivotal ILO agreements this year, including the Maritime Labour Convention, Convention on Labour Statistics, and the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention. These ratifications highlight Pakistan”s determination to eliminate forced labor, safeguard seafarers, and establish a data-driven labor governance system for its workforce of over 75 million.
The minister also revealed Pakistan”s progress towards ratifying additional key agreements such as the Occupational Safety and Health Convention and the Violence and Harassment Convention, C190. The Supreme Court of Pakistan”s endorsement of C190 underscores its importance in protecting the rights of women and vulnerable workers.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain further underscored the significance of the Tripartite Labour Conference, held last November after a 15-year hiatus, where government representatives, employers, and workers recommitted to occupational safety, gender-sensitive policies, and robust labor institutions.
Social protection remains central to Pakistan’s development strategy, with the Benazir Income Support Program and Ehsaas initiative collectively supporting over nine million families. The Employees Old Age Benefits Institution, with assets exceeding $21.30 million, provides for more than 400,000 pensioners, while the Workers Welfare Fund has awarded over 50,000 scholarships and offered housing and welfare assistance.
To safeguard migrant workers, Pakistan is leveraging digital innovation. The upcoming Pak-Tok App aims to support 800,000 emigrants annually and connect 12 million diaspora members to vital services. The nation”s emigration management framework seeks to digitize overseas employment to ensure transparency and ethical recruitment.
Investments in youth and skills development are also on the agenda. Under the Decent Work Country Programme, initiatives like NAVTTC and TEVTAs are aligning training with industry demands. Pakistan is piloting legal migration routes with the EU and establishing training centers focused on green jobs and digital skills.
Strengthening international cooperation, Pakistan is collaborating with IndustriAll Global Union to enhance workplace safety in the energy and mining sectors. The conference also saw the participation of Pakistan”s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Bilal Ahmad, and other key figures, reflecting the nation”s united front in advancing labor standards.