Workers' rights in Pakistan

1.10.2018

Question for written answer E-005012-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Petras Auštrevičius (ALDE)

The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention was ratified by Pakistan in 1952. Compliance with the convention is a prerequisite for GSP+, and the Commission is responsible for monitoring any violations.

As an ILO committee of experts has asserted, the Government of Pakistan has not yet responded to allegations made in 2012 by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) of anti-union dismissals and acts of internal affairs by employers, namely intimidation and blacklisting of trade unions and their members. Furthermore, the ITUC also raised fresh concerns with the ILO over anti-union discrimination in Pakistan on 1 September 2015.

The ILO has also pointed out that the coordination of labour-related issues and the responsibility to ensure that provincial labour laws are drafted in accordance with internationally ratified conventions reside with the Government of Pakistan.

1. What action has the Commission taken to investigate these allegations of labour rights violations, which are in clear breach of GSP+ criteria?

2. Given that the Government of Pakistan has repeatedly failed to respond to the ILO’s requests for information, what evidence does the Commission have that workers and unions are actually protected in Pakistan?

3. Given the large number of uncompleted Normlex cases against Pakistan, will the Commission consider launching a full investigation into the country’s GSP+ status?