OSH compliance crucial for exporters: Dr. Gohar Ejaz

KARACHI: Dr. Gohar Ejaz, Minister of Commerce, Production & Industry, stated that it is imperative that Pakistani exporters, especially textile related, must comply with all ILO International Labor Standards including Occupational Safety and Health Standards(OSH), in order to manifest their progressive march towards achieving the objectives of huge increase in exports. He was talking to a delegation of Employers Federation of Pakistan(EFP) consisting of President Malik Tahir Javaid, Former President Majyd Aziz, and Member Board of Directors Mian Akram Farid, in his office in Islamabad.

The Commerce Minister added that enlightened action and attitude of exporters would enhance Pakistan’s case in EU for next grant of GSP Plus. He assured that the government is fully committed towards providing a favorable ecosystem to exporters and advised EFP to motivate members to comply with all conditionalities. He appreciated that for the last sixteen years EFP has been recognizing and awarding enterprises who are OSH compliant.

Malik Tahir Javaid informed that EFP is leading the private sector in matters of employment, labor legislation social protection, SDGs, skills development, decent work initiatives, elimination of child labor etc. He also said that the Federal and Provincial governments should ensure that EFP was nominated on all relevant bodies and committees. On behalf of EFP, he invited the Minister to be the Chief Guest at the EFP-OSHE Award Distribution Ceremony 2023 on 25th September in Karachi.

Majyd Aziz informed the Minister that as President Global Compact Network Pakistan(GCNP), he is leading the campaign to sensitize employers to comply with Ten Principles of UN Global Compact related to Human Rights, Labor, Environment and Good Governance. He added that it is imperative that government works with employer organizations to put in place pragmatic policies and institutional framework to promote safety culture and full compliance of all standards.

Mian Akram Farid also advised the Minister to begin the process of visiting Chambers in all major cities and said that as Leader of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, he would be honored if he would first visit ICCI at the first opportunity.