KARACHI, Jan 15, 2024 – The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the Rise for Impact (Cotton INDITEX Project), organized the awareness-raising sessions in its series to promote Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in the cotton supply chain, held in the districts of Sukkur and Khairpur.
The purpose of these sessions was to enhance respect for Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) in cotton-growing communities and among landlords, promoting decent working conditions within the cotton supply chain. Providing background on the sessions, Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General of EFP, emphasized the importance of FPRW in ensuring decent work for all. He also highlighted EFP’s ongoing efforts and achievements in promoting responsible businesses. He further emphasized that creating decent working conditions is essential for the continued growth of the cotton sector and for maintaining Pakistan’s GSP-Plus status.
Gulfam Nabi, Consultant, gave a detailed presentation on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, covering all five key areas of FPRW. These include: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, which ensures that workers and employers have the right to freely form and join organizations, trade unions, and employers’ associations without fear of retaliation or interference; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, which aims to eradicate any work or service performed under coercion, threats, or lack of free will, including practices like debt bondage, human trafficking, and slavery; the principle of the effective abolition of child labour, which aims to ensure that children are protected from work that deprives them of education, health, and development; the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to employment opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace, regardless of characteristics such as race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or disability; and a safe and healthy working environment, which ensures that workers are protected from hazards and risks that could harm their physical and mental well-being.
During the open discussion sessions, participants raised issues such as the unavailability of goods, defective and low-yielding seeds, and the poor quality of urea provided. These issues not only hinder the growth of cotton crops but also negatively impact overall economic conditions. In response, Mr. Nazar highlighted the importance of social dialogue and the need to establish a forum for small-scale cotton growers’ associations to raise a unified voice and engage with other stakeholders.
Participants also inquired about the benefits of forming an employer association and agreed to establish a Small Cotton Growers’ Association in each district. They suggested the names of the associations as the Small Cotton Growing Landlords Association, District Khairpur and the Small Cotton Growing Landlords Association, District Sukkur.
A committee was formed to finalize the names and office bearers of the association. Additionally, participants requested EFP to provide technical training programs aimed at enhancing cotton productivity and to assist in developing a memorandum of association and registering with the relevant authorities.
