‘Coordination can help reduce labour problems’

Arif Elahi says working class is suffering due to lack of coordination amogn workers, employers, and government

KARACHI:

The working class in Sindh is suffering due to lack of coordination and trust-deficit among workers, employers and the government, said the provincial labour secretary Arif Elahi on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference held at the labour department’s committee hall, he called on all segments of the society to help overcome the major hurdles to introduce positive reforms in the labour sector.

The Sindh labour department in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) has called for developing a joint action plan to promote awareness on workplace safety and health.

As the first step, a high-level tripartite consultation on “Promoting Workplace Safety and Health in Sindh” will be held in Karachi on December 6. The seminar will help gather recommendations from all stakeholders to develop a plan of action to reduce chances of reoccurrence of factory fires like the unfortunate one in Baldia Town.

The workshop will also help secure a joint statement of commitment from employers, workers and government to help in adopting measures of safety for the workers at workplace.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2012.