Pakistan prepares new occupational safety and health policy — Dawn
Pakistan has stepped up preparations for a new national occupational safety and health policy intended to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees in the formal and informal sectors of the economy. Representatives of federal and provincial authorities, employers and workers discussed the draft document and its implementation mechanism during a stakeholder consultation.
The event was held by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development with technical support from the International Labour Organization. Dawn reports.
Who the policy is expected to cover
The proposed policy provides for extending protection to workers in various sectors. The groups it is expected to cover include women, young and older workers, persons with disabilities, migrants, home-based and domestic workers, agricultural workers, as well as people employed through digital platforms.
International Labour Organization Director in Pakistan Geir T. Tonstol said the document is being developed on the basis of data and consultations involving provinces, employers and workers. According to him, the goal is to create a framework document that Pakistani institutions and employers will be able to use.
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New risks for workers
Officials noted that changes in Pakistan's working environment have created new occupational safety challenges. Traditional industrial hazards are increasingly combined with risks related to extreme heat, climate change, chemical and biological factors, technological changes and psychosocial threats.
In 2022, the International Labour Conference recognized a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. ILO Conventions No. 155 and No. 187 form the international basis for national occupational safety policies, risk prevention and continuous improvement.
Federal Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry said that economic development must be combined with worker protection. In his view, a stronger national occupational safety and health system will contribute to safer workplaces, productive enterprises and Pakistan's competitiveness in the global economy.
