Pakistan values partnership with ILO for youth employment: PM

ISLAMABAD  –  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan valued its promising partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in creating opportunities for productive employment for the country’s youth and skilled labour.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with ILO Director General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, who called on him along with his delegation at the Prime Minister’s Office, a news release said. The prime minister warmly welcomed the ILO Director General and appreciated the robust cooperation between Pakistan and the organization. He underlined the need for greater ILO facilitation in the international certification and professional training of Pakistan’s skilled labour, in line with the standards of the international labour market. The prime minister said that, in line with international covenants, the government was taking effective measures for the welfare, protection and professional progression of the national labour force. He highlighted that, to enhance industrial growth, productivity and the competitiveness of the labour market, the government had reinvigorated the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). He added that greater collaboration and constructive engagement with the ILO could further strengthen SMEDA’s initiatives. The ILO Director General thanked the prime minister for the meeting and expressed eagerness to work with Pakistan in a joint endeavour for the protection, progression and prosperity of its labour force.

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He also appreciated the positive coordination between the ILO and the Federal Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.

Houngbo reaffirmed the ILO’s continued collaboration with the government, employers and workers in Pakistan for the cohesive progress of the labour force and industrial development.

The ILO Director General was accompanied by Senior Advisor Hitomi Nakagome and Gier Thomas Tonsil, Director of the ILO Country Office for Pakistan.

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