thefridaynews 
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain held a meeting with International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo in Islamabad. Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Muhammad Awn Chaudhry, Federal Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed, and representatives of workers’ unions and employers’ organizations were also present on the occasion.Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain welcomed ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo to Pakistan and said that the visit of the ILO Director-General to Pakistan after three decades was a welcome development. He emphasized the need to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the ILO.Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that Pakistan attaches great importance to the ILO’s tripartite system and social dialogue and is committed to further expanding cooperation with the ILO in Geneva. He said that Pakistan is keen to resume an active role as a Deputy Member of the ILO Governing Body.The Federal Minister said that Pakistan had also supported Gilbert F. Houngbo in the ILO elections held in 2022 and that, if support is sought in the upcoming elections, Pakistan would support his re-election. He appreciated the significant achievements of the ILO under the leadership of Gilbert F. Houngbo.He said that more than 400 partners have now joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice, while Pakistan would play an active role in this global initiative in the areas of employment, skills development and social protection.Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that ILO Convention No. 193 concerning the protection of the rights of digital platform workers represents an important development. He stressed that providing adequate labour protection to Pakistan’s large freelance and digital workforce is an urgent need.The Federal Minister said that safe, fair and dignified migration is among Pakistan’s key priorities. Cooperation with the ILO would continue in the areas of fair recruitment, labour migration and the protection of workers. Pakistan seeks to further enhance cooperation with the ILO for promoting employment, developing skills and safeguarding workers’ rights.During the meeting, both sides also agreed to enhance efforts to equip Pakistan’s workforce with skills in accordance with international standards and provide training aligned with modern requirements. The ILO assured that it would continue supporting Pakistan in improving the skills of its workforce and creating better opportunities for Pakistani workers in the global labour market.On the occasion, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said that the ILO would continue to extend all possible cooperation to Pakistan. He noted that Pakistan has always played an effective and active role in the ILO and has promoted successful diplomacy and cooperation through the ILO platform.Gilbert F. Houngbo also expressed his commitment to improving opportunities for Pakistani workers in the global labour market and ensuring the protection and welfare of workers.At the conclusion of the meeting, Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo distributed cheques for various grants among representatives of workers. Cheques for marriage grants, death grants and educational scholarships were also distributed among representatives of workers’ unions.Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain also presented a commemorative shield and gifts to ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.
