13 mayo, 2025Workers' rights are under severe attack in Pakistan as the country debates labor law reforms. Local unions have vehemently opposed proposed labor law changes targeting workers and have held several joint protests across the country in this regard. During a visit to Pakistan in the first week of May, IndustriALL leaders extended their solidarity and support to workers and unions for their tireless struggle to safeguard labor rights.
During the Council meeting in Islamabad, leaders of affiliated unions held an in-depth dialogue with General Secretary Atle Høie and Deputy General Secretary Kemal Özkan on urgent labor issues. Union leaders expressed concern about the sustained increase in precarious work and proposed labor law reforms that threaten to further weaken labor rights. While workers in the textile and garment sector have long demanded decent wages and improved working conditions, some safeguards were successfully incorporated through the implementation of the Accord . However, the struggle for safe workplaces continues, especially in the mining sector, where safety remains inadequate.
Affiliates have raised these issues with employers and state governments, and some victories have been achieved, such as the Supreme Court order passed last year that granted 55 contract workers at IFFCO Pakistan permanent employee status.
“IndustriALL stands with all workers struggling in Pakistan. We stand with you in this struggle. If we want to ensure that workers' rights are promoted, we will have to stand united and speak out together. Unity is our greatest strength, and no one can defeat us in our fight for justice as long as we are united.”
Atle Høie declared.
IndustriALL also met with government officials and raised key issues surrounding the implementation of the Hong Kong Convention , labor law reform, and mine safety. The discussions reflected IndustriALL’s continued commitment to improving occupational health and safety across all sectors. Pakistan has yet to ratify ILO Convention 176, a critical instrument for improving safety in mining. IndustriALL raised this concern in a meeting with federal officials, who confirmed that steps are being taken to ratify the convention by the end of the year.
Pakistan recently ratified three ILO instruments: the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labor Convention, the Maritime Labor Convention, and the Labor Statistics Convention. The government has expressed its intention to ratify three other core conventions in the near future: Convention 155 on Occupational Safety and Health, Convention 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, and Convention 176 on Safety and Health in Mines. Ratifications are expected to be finalized early next year. If achieved, this would represent a major victory for IndustriALL and its affiliates in Pakistan, as well as a testament to years of advocacy and organizing to push for greater worker protection.
“Like other countries in South Asia, Pakistan faces many challenges, ranging from political and economic to social. To ensure the protection of workers' rights and the improvement of working conditions, it is essential that unions mount a strong and unified fight. Only then can we advance our cause. We must continue to stand united in the defense of living wages, social security, and safer workplaces, including the ratification of ILO Convention 176 to ensure safe mining.”
said Kemal Özkan.