ISLAMABAD (ILO News – Monday 27 April, 2009) – Amid the worst financial and jobs crisis since the Great Depression, the International Labour Organization (ILO) marked its 90th anniversary on 27 April 2009 in an impressive high level ceremony at the ILO Auditorium in Islamabad. The event was held against what ILO Director-General, Juan Somavia describes as “the frightening backdrop of the crisis with rising unemployment and underemployment, business closures, deteriorating conditions of work, growing inequality, poverty and insecurity, and the undermining of respect for rights at work.” At the event Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Federal Labour Minister of Pakistan was the Chief Guest. The other guests of honour include Mr. Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary Labour and Manpower, Mr. Ashraf W. Tabani, President, Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary, Pakistan Workers’ Federation, Dr. Bile, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, Mr. Frank Hess, and Representative of the European Commission. A large number of high ranking officials of the government, representatives of employers’ and workers’ organisation participated in the event. Members of the diplomatic and donor community as well as heads of different UN agencies were also present on the occasion.
The ILO Country Director Mr. Donglin Li in his speech welcomed the high level gathering. He stated that the ILO is celebrating its 90 years working for social justice and promoting the Decent Work Agenda. He shared that ILO is implementing the Decent Work Country Programme in close collaboration with its constituents and social partners. ILO projects have been focusing on various issues including child and bonded labour, employment generation, skills development, labour market information, rural infrastructure, women empowerment, and earthquake response. Mr. Li further said that during the last decades, despite being a technical agency, ILO has mobilized about US $ 190 million to help Pakistan promote social justice and implement the Decent Work Country Programme.
Mr. Li further stated that ILO engages with constituents in its 182 member States and there are a total of 188 international labour conventions. Mr. Li said that Pakistan has been an important and active member of the ILO and has ratified 36 ILO Conventions, including all eight Fundamental Conventions – the second country from South Asia to have ratified all 8 core conventions. This level of commitment from Pakistan is clearly indicative of its desire to attain the highest standards possible for its people.
Mr. Khurshid Shah, Minister for Labour congratulated ILO on its 90th anniversary. He appreciated the technical assistance that the ILO has provided to the government of Pakistan. Mr. Shah stated that the government is making all efforts to bring international investment that will revitalise the industrial growth and create more opportunities for decent employment. He also indicated that the government is making all efforts to streamline the labour legislation to ensure that workers are well protected and industry grows in Pakistan. He stated that present government has enhanced the minimum monthly wage for an unskilled person to Rs. 6000. Mr. Shah also indicated that his ministry will make all effort to protect the right of the workers.
Mr. Asif Hayat Malik, Secretary Labour appreciated ILO diverse support to Pakistan on various issues including effort to combat child and bonded labour, promotion of employment, labour market information system, and issues regarding women employment concerns. Secretary also appreciated the efforts of the ILO Islamabad Office to promoted Decent Work Agenda in Pakistan
Mr. Ashraf W. Tabani, President Employers Federation of Pakistan congratulated ILO on its 90th anniversary. While appreciating the valuable work of ILO throughout the 9 decades, he indicated that the current financial and job crisis has made ILO’s decent work agenda even more relevant. Mr. Tabani while referring to ILO’s annual Global Employment Trend Report that estimates global unemployment could reach to 230 million. He also said that in worst case scenario number of people in extreme poverty is estimated to increase by 6.1 percentage points over the 2007 level. He indicated that the ILO and the multilateral system should have clear message about the role of private sector in confronting the crisis and to avert poverty. He also emphasised that the 2008 ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation needs to be properly implemented to achieve ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.
Mr. Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary, Pakistan Workers Federation, congratulated ILO on its 90th Anniversary. He appreciated ILO’s role in the last 90 years in promoting social justice around the world. He appreciated ILO’s multiple support to its constituents in Pakistan on various issues, including child and bonded labour, women employment issues and employment. He particularly highlighted the role of ILO Islamabad office during the earthquake emergencies. On behalf of workers Mr. Khurshid profoundly thanked ILO for continued support to facilitate workers. He also demanded that the Government of Pakistan should bring all national legislation in line with the ILO Conventions and also enforce this legislation in the provinces.
Dr. Bile, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan congratulated ILO on its 90th Anniversary. He stated that ILO must feel proud of its 90 years of illustrious history of social justice. He said that ILO will remain the flagship of the UN System to promote social justice, as these are enshrined in the human right principles. He said that under the One UN, all agencies are coming together to better serve the host government and the people of Pakistan. He acknowledged the substantial role of the ILO in One UN programme. He said that ILO is member of the High Level Committee on UN reform and co-chairing the Thematic Working Group (TWG) on Agriculture, Rural Development and Poverty Reduction. The ILO is lead agency of sub-theme titled “Decent Employment and Poverty Alleviation”.
Mr. Frank Hess, Representative of the European Commission, congratulated ILO on its 90th Anniversary. He also indicated that the EC Delegation is pleased to note the trust of government, employers and workers on ILO’s programme in Pakistan. He also stated that EC now globally supports the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. He stated that in Pakistan the EC is supporting ILO’s programme on child labour and skills with Euro 25 million. He emphasised that in order to check terrorism, children and young people need to be in education and skills training and subsequently they must find decent jobs.
The event was closed on the consensus that these global events are not to just celebrate ILO’s history, but capitalising this moment to begin writing a new chapter. ILO resolved to continue to work together with government, employers’ and workers’ organizations to promote Decent Work for All women and men in Pakistan.
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