ILO Chief Lauds Pakistan’s Commitment to Workers’ Welfare and Migrant Rights

Geneva – Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, has commended Pakistan for its steadfast commitment to workers’ welfare, social protection, and the safe and legal migration of its labor force.

Houngbo made these remarks during a high-level meeting with Pakistan’s Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Labour Conference in Geneva.

The ILO chief praised Pakistan for being the only country in the region to ratify three ILO conventions within a short period this year—a move he described as a significant step toward strengthening labor rights and protection mechanisms.

Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain briefed the Director-General on a range of initiatives undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to fulfill its international obligations. These include comprehensive measures for the welfare, occupational safety, and health of workers, as well as the promotion of safe and legal migration channels.

“Our government is dedicated to the betterment of workers,” Hussain said. “We are actively promoting legal migration and ensuring the safety and job security of our workforce abroad.”

He highlighted ongoing efforts to formalize labor agreements, stating that memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for the deployment of skilled and semi-skilled Pakistani workers are either signed or under negotiation with multiple countries.

To ensure the effective integration of Pakistani workers abroad, Hussain noted that training programs are in place to familiarize migrants with the customs, traditions, basic language, and work ethics of their destination countries. “This approach ensures our workforce becomes a productive and contributing asset overseas,” he added.

The Minister also requested enhanced technical and donor assistance from the ILO to facilitate Pakistan’s ratification of Convention C-176, which pertains to the safety and health in mines—an area where further reforms are being targeted.

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Chaudhry Salik Hussain expressed appreciation for the support extended by the ILO’s Country Office in Islamabad, acknowledging its pivotal role in advancing the Ministry’s initiatives.

The meeting was also attended by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan’s Mission in Geneva, the Secretary of the Workers Welfare Fund, the Joint Secretary of MOPHRD, and Workers’ Delegate Mr. Zahoor Awan.