Strings attached: Unionists assail government, employers over GSP-Plus

Speakers call on govt, traders to act expeditiously

LAHORE: The government and traders must act expeditiously and in concert to ensure compliance with GSP-Plus provisions if they want to derive maximum benefit from the facilities offered by the European Union.

This was the consensus at the second consultation on GSP-Plus organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) the other day.

Economic analyst Nasir Jamal briefed those present on steps taken by the government and trade chambers for the implementation of GSP-Plus conditions.  He appreciated the work done by the government and textile exporters but stressed the need for greater collaboration between them at the national provincial and district levels. Jamal said this had to be done as no side could accomplish the task singlehandedly. He also highlighted the need to mobilise industrial labour to support the official-trade drive.

Labour representatives fired broadside at the government and employers for failing to protect workers from exploitation. They said unions were being suppressed, wages paid were low (the workers were denied the minimum wage and EOBI was not fair in working out their pensions). They said labour would play its role in realising GSP-Plus provisions if their rights were secured.

Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Lahore Chamber of Commerce representative Jamil Naz lamented the lack of integrity and seriousness prevalent everywhere. Naz said this, rampant malpractice and misplaced development priorities had been depriving Pakistan of its due share in the economic field.

Those present concurred that it was in the nation’s interest to implement the 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environment and corruption. Raza Ali, writes on urban and social development, pointed out the need for Pakistan to fully subscribe to the 27 conventions, implement ratified treaties and seek cooperation of sections of commerce that were not in line with the conduct required of GSP Plus beneficiaries.

Academic Mehdi Hasan said success in meeting the GSP Plus goals was dependent on good governance and political parties’ ability to institute a secular order. Hasan said this alone would enable the state to secure people’s rights.

While welcoming the participants, the HRCP secretary-general IA Rehman focused on the commissions interest in persuading authorities and businesspeople to derive due advantage from the nation’s GSP-Plus status as apart from its provisions, the pursuit of an economic programme that pledged to improve citizens’ standard of life was a rights issue.

Those present agreed that success on the GSP-Plus front required public support that could only be secured through a comprehensive public awareness programme and the amicable resolution of labour disputes. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2015.