Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of Pakistan’s Decent Work Country Program (DWCP, 2016-2020) signed
Al-Bab Report
26th May 2016, Islamabad: Pakistan’s third Decent Work Country Program (DWCP III) was signed by the ILO's tripartite constituents ,the Government of Pakistan, the employers’ and the workers' organizations at a ceremony convened by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s DWCP III covers a 5-year period i.e. 2016-2020 and is aligned with the country’s Vision 2025, provincial development plans, the One UN Programme as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The DWCP III is premised on the human rights based approach and results based management principles for program development. The priorities of the DWCP III include:
- Promoting decent work in rural economy
- Promoting job creation for youth and vulnerable groups
- Strengthening compliance with International Labour Standards (ILS) through social dialogue
- Extending social protection floors
Signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) included the Secretary OPHRD Mr. Khizar Hayat Khan, Secretary General of the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF)/ILO Governing Body Member Mr. Zahoor Awan, President of the Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) Mr. Khawaja Nauman and the ILO Country Director for Pakistan Ms. Ingrid Christensen.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Regional Director, ILO Regional Office for Asia Pacific, Mr. David Lamotte, who appreciated Pakistan’s commitment to achieve decent work, he stated that Pakistan is among the first countries to have developed and implemented a DWCP among ILO’s member states in Asia region. He also reassured the continuous support of the ILO in order to achieve Decent Work for all in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s DWCP III was developed through a consultative process that included a wide range of stakeholders including Ministries and Provincial Departments as well as academia, media and other social partners. The development of the DWCP III was informed by a comprehensive country program review undertaken in April 2015 which was followed by a tripartite priority setting session in September 2015, and a results based management training in November 2015 to enhance the implementation capacities of stakeholders.
The DWCP III seeks to make progressive changes in the world of work through the implementation of focused actions. It responds to the Pakistan’s national and international commitments including the Constitution of the country which promotes equality of work and requirements of the policy and legislative environment. The DWCP III places ILO’s knowledge and instruments at the service of the constituents, policy-makers and other stakeholders in order to advance Pakistan’s Vision 2025 of faster and inclusive growth in Pakistan and the promotion of Decent Work in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary for OPHRD Mr Khizar Hayat Khan stated that ‘With the signing of this DWCP III, we hope to create a significant difference during this period to achieve Decent Work for all in Pakistan’.
In a statement delivered by Mr. Khawaja Nauman on behalf of the Employers’ Organizations, stated that ‘The agenda of the DWCP III is very relevant and central to the Pakistan Vision 2025. EFP has been an integral part of the consultative process through which the DWCP III was designed. We look forward to working together in pursuing the DWCP III Pakistan with success.’
Mr. Zahoor Awan representing Workers’ Organizations emphasized on the proper consultative mechanism that helped design the DWCP III, and also urged for active participation by the provincial governments to achieve the desired results.
The ILO Country Director Ms. Ingrid Christensen during the signing event appreciated the cooperation and ownership demonstrated by the Government, the Employers and the Workers and their significant contribution in the development of the DWCP III, she said ‘This is the third DWCP that we are embarking on, and the implementation of it will only be possible with cooperation of all the provincial and national stakeholders and tripartism.’ She also assured the consultation with the tripartite constituents and all the social partners in terms of follow up and regular monitoring and evaluation.
In her closing remarks the ILO Country Director Ms. Christensen said ‘It is your programme, it’s our programme, its Pakistan’s DWCP.
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