GSP+ and workers' rights in Pakistan
29.1.2019
Question for written answer E-000494-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ignazio Corrao (EFDD)
In its answer to Written Question E-005012/2018 on Pakistan, the Commission confirms that despite some improvements made in the area of child labour, ‘in other areas much work remains to be done, including the weak labour inspectorate system and systematic disregard of freedom of association and collective bargaining’.
It is reassuring to see that Pakistan has submitted its report on the implementation of ILO Convention 98 on Collective Bargaining. Nevertheless, as pointed out by the Commission, major measures are yet to be adopted in order to comply with labour rights standards. Legislative amendments to the labour laws, extending their application to export processing zones, and the fulfilment of reporting obligations are paramount to compliance with the GSP+ criteria.
Considering the findings of the Commission’s monitoring mission, which confirm Pakistan’s non-compliance with the GSP+ requirements:
- 1.Why has the Commission not called for a suspension of the preferential scheme and opened an investigation?
- 2.In light of these findings, how does the Commission justify the continuation of the preferential scheme?
- 3.The Commission mentions that the findings will be included in the biannual report. For the sake of transparency, could the Commission also disclose the Scorecard for Pakistan?