ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (Alliance News): The Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscored the essential role of media in addressing forced labour and advancing fair recruitment practices during a high-level consultation session held on Thursday.
Speaking at the session, ILO Country Director Geir T. Tonstol highlighted the urgent need for Pakistan to improve its industrial conditions to maintain its Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status with the European Union.
He emphasized that Pakistan must adhere to 27 international standards concerning labour, human rights, and environmental protection to retain this preferential trade status.
The consultation, hosted at the ILO office, brought together editors, news directors, and bureau chiefs from 25 major media organizations across Pakistan. The discussions focused on enhancing media coverage to raise awareness, influence public opinion, and drive policy reforms aimed at combating forced labour, particularly in the informal sector, and ensuring ethical recruitment practices.
Dr. Faisal Iqbal, National Project Coordinator at ILO, pointed out the media’s crucial role in shaping public perceptions about forced labour and labour migration. “Media can be key influencers in driving meaningful change,” he stated, urging media professionals to take on the responsibility of advocating for fair recruitment practices.
Syed Nazar Ali Shah, Secretary General of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, explained the purpose of the event, emphasizing the need for collective action to tackle forced labour issues, especially in the informal sector. He encouraged media professionals to deepen their understanding of these critical challenges to better inform the public.
Media trainer Aoun Sahi provided an overview of the six training sessions conducted for journalists on reporting forced labour and fair recruitment. He highlighted the importance of empowering media to address exploitative practices in both informal sectors and formal industries like textiles, where such practices are prevalent.
The media representatives praised the ILO’s initiatives and expressed a strong interest in continuing their engagement on the issue. They proposed more frequent interactions with ILO officials and suggested additional training sessions for journalists. They also recommended forming an alliance of media outlets dedicated to bringing these issues to the forefront of Pakistan’s media landscape.
These sessions were conducted under the US Department of Labor-funded BRIDGE project, aimed at equipping journalists with the skills necessary to effectively report on forced labour and fair recruitment.
The ILO’s latest global estimates indicate that nearly 28 million people worldwide are victims of forced labour, generating illegal profits of approximately $236 billion annually.
