German firm inks deal on workers’ safety

Agreement envisages mechanism to file complaints against lack of safety rules in industrial units

KARACHI:

German company Kik has signed a Bangladesh-style international accord for the protection of industrial workers in Pakistan.

The agreement was signed by Kik CEO Patrick Zahn and representatives of Pakistan’s textile industry, labor protection organizations, Employers Association of Pakistan and other stakeholders at a ceremony held at a local hotel on Thursday. Germany’s Consul General in Karachi Dr. Ruediger Lotz was also graced the occasion.

Besides providing training to workers and making the supply chain safe for them, the international accord also envisages a mechanism to file complaints against non-implementation of safety rules. Workers and laborers would be able to report violations directly to Kik’s representatives. Moreover, health and safety committees will also be formed in industrial units to provide safe and healthy environment to workers.

Consul General Dr. Ruediger Lotz said that the international agreement between Pakistan’s textile industry and Kik is an important milestone that would help speed up development of Pakistan’s textile and garment sector and ensure the safety of workers associated with
this industry.

“This is an important development for Pakistan in the context of Germany’s new Supply Chain Act and that Kik is committed to achieving long-lasting results in coordination with its partners in Pakistan,” he said.

Kik CEO Patrick Zahn said that his company has been operating in Pakistan since 2017 for workers safety. However, seeing the best results of the international accord in Bangladesh, an agreement of this type has been made with the industrial sector of Pakistan, which is an independent and legal agreement with Pakistan’s textile industry and trade associations. Its aim is to make Pakistan’s textile and garment industry safe, socially responsible, and strong.

Group General Manager of Al-Karam Towel Industries, Majid Saleem Jafri, who was also present at the signing ceremony, termed the deal as a “game changer” for Pakistan’s
textile industry.

He said that an international brand like Kik would provide its international experience to make Pakistan’s textile industry safe for workers and an environment that would make it easier for Pakistani industries to comply with international norms which would result in an increase in Pakistan’s textile exports.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2022.