The 2002 Labour Policy was preceded by tripartite consultations as well as discussions at the PTLC in the same year. An important element of the Policy was the government’s support to bipartite and tripartite mechanisms with regard to policy formulation, self-regulation, and peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts. The workers’ and employers’ organizations, the Policy stressed, would be persuaded to evolve “codes of conduct” at the level of enterprise and industry, which would lay emphasis on respect for the reciprocal rights and obligations of both the parties and enhanced confidence in the trade unions to play a positive role in organizational performance. Furthermore, to render support to bipartism, the Policy said that the “regulatory” authority of the government … [Read more...]

The fourth labour policy was announced in 1972 by the then ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government. The PPP was elected on a socialist agenda with a definite “pro-labour” manifesto. The Labour Policy of 1972 had three important dimensions: a) immediate increase in workers' real wages; b) increased production; and c) promotion of trade unionism and amelioration of the workers' lot. It included 22 specific points: 1. Workers’ participation in the management of industry; 2. Appointment of auditors by the collective bargaining agent. The auditors were to be paid by employers to audit their company accounts in certain cases; 3. Increase in workers’ share in profits from 2.5 per cent to 4 per cent (and later to 5 per cent) under the Companies’ Profits (Workers’ … [Read more...]

A tripartite labour conference was convened in May 1969. Consequently, the government admitted to past failures and announced a new industrial relations policy in July 1969. The new Policy said that “the Government was aware that the previous labour policies had failed because adequate machinery for their implementation had not existed. Every step would therefore be taken to ensure that this Policy was supported by the necessary machinery for its implementation.” The Labour Policy, 1969, laid stress on creating an environment in which both employers and workers could work together to achieve greater productivity. It attempted to allow the free exercise of freedom of association for all workers and to encourage the growth of trade unions. The Policy introduced a collective … [Read more...]

The ILO Conventions ratified by the Government of Pakistan were indicated as the basis for developing the new Labour Policy of 1959. The Policy stressed the growth of healthy trade unionism for a stable social structure, with industrial and social peace ensuring greater production and equitable distribution of wealth. A sound and healthy employer–employee relationship was indicated as a prerequisite for increased productivity. Recognizing industrial peace to be essential for economic progress, the Policy discouraged agitation and tension in industrial and commercial undertakings and other fields of human endeavour. It stressed settlement of disputes between management and labour through legal means, such as joint consultations, voluntary arbitration, conciliation, mediation, and … [Read more...]

Encouraging growth of genuine and healthy trade unions to promote collective bargaining and raising the living standards of workers were laid down as the two main objectives of the first Labour Policy of Pakistan. The Policy stressed a sound and healthy relationship between employers and employees as a prerequisite for increased productivity and efficiency. Since the country had an extremely poor base in the initial year of its existence, the government naturally stressed on industrial peace and harmony and speedy dispensation of justice in disputes between employers and employees through legal procedures, such as: a) joint consultations; b) mediation; c) conciliation; and d) arbitration – with awards and decisions enforced. For this purpose, the government desired that genuine … [Read more...]