Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 20 January 2024

ILO

PRESS RELEASE

 ILO launches phase two of cotton workers’ rights project

Cotton-growing communities will be empowered to assert Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW).

LAHORE, Pakistan (ILO News) – Building on the success of the first phase (2017-2023), the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the second phase of the programme to promote and realize Fundamental Principles and Rights (FPRW) at Work in the cotton sector.

Funded by INDITEX, the International Labour Organization launched the second phase of the FPRW project at a ceremony in Lahore today. The initiative focuses on building the capacity of cotton-growing communities to advocate for their rights and address gender inequalities in the sector, supporting the most vulnerable cotton-growing communities across Pakistan.

The cotton-growing communities in the selected areas of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan provinces will have improved access to organizing associations for farmers and trade unions under the second phase of the International Labour Organization’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) project.

The event was attended by representatives from the Government, employers’ and workers' organizations, and other stakeholders working in the cotton sector.

“In the heart of cotton-producing communities, an undeniable reality still persists – children can be found working. Also, women tend to be relegated to lower-paying tasks in some of the most demanding parts of the agricultural cycle. The battle for equality within this sector is compounded by a complex web of discriminatory factors,” said Geir Tonstol, Country Director for ILO in Pakistan.

In advocating for decent work in the cotton communities, he stated that ILO promotes freedom of association and collective bargaining, combats forced labour and child labour and advocates for a safe and healthy working environment in cotton-producing communities. He further emphasized, “realizing these standards would reduce inequality and ensure a more balanced distribution of wealth, thus contributing to sustainable economic growth. The project will also support and establish an institutional mechanism to address vulnerabilities related to fundamental principles and rights at work through social dialogue and scaling up good practices in the rural economy.”

Background:

The ILO and INDITEX, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, entered into a partnership in 2017 to promote an integrated approach to Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) in the cotton supply chain in China, India, Mali and Pakistan, and global component in Geneva. This new, three-year project (Phase II) will operate in India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as well as at the global level. INDITEX has supported the ILO in promoting respect for labour rights, social dialogue, worker well-being and empowerment in selected cotton-growing areas of these three countries. The mission of its Sustainability Policy is to ensure that its business activity is carried out with full respect for people, the environment and the community at large.

For further information, please contact:

Muhammad Numan

Communication Officer

Email: numan@ilo.org

Mobile: +92 303 5000041

UNHABITAT

PRESS RELEASE

Brainstorming Session on Smog, GHG Emissions reduction and Air Quality Issues in Pakistan

Islamabad, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) organized a brainstorming session to address smog, GHG emissions, and air quality concerns in Pakistan. On 21 November 2023, the AQI reading during the early hours of the day was 345, ranking Lahore as the second worst city in the world for air quality. An AQI above 151 is unhealthy, while above 301 the air is hazardous for breathing. Lahore and other cities in the province of Punjab are under a smog emergency every year during the winter season. The objective was to tackle the pressing issue of declining air quality by identifying effective practical solutions.

The session included involvement from various key stakeholders including Ms. Florence Rolle, FAO Representative; Ms. Farzana Altaf Shah, DG EPA; Mr. Ashiq Nawaz, Director EPA; Mr. M. Anwar Chaudhry, Senior Chief, Planning Commission; Mr. Faiz ul Sibtain, Assistant Director PEC; Mr. M Azim Khoso, Director (UA) MoCC; and Brig. Mohammad Ashraf.

Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, the Habitat Programme Manager at UN-Habitat, extended a warm welcome to the participants, shedding light on the conference's origins as a response to severe smog occurrences during winters in major Punjab cities. The smog annually affects residents, leading authorities to shut down schools, offices, and parks for extended periods, disrupting daily life. UN-Habitat's primary goal is to address the intricate issues of deteriorating air quality by creating a collaborative platform for joint efforts, focusing on developing tangible solutions, particularly in energy-efficient building practices.

A comprehensive presentation on 'Spatio-Temporal mapping on Smog and its underlying causes using GIS techniques' was delivered by FAO. The presentation highlighted key contributors to smog, such as transport, industry, power, and agriculture (crop residue burning). FAO emphasized that the transport sector is the primary contributor, accounting for 42% of air pollution in Punjab.

Brig. M. Ashraf introduced the concept of 'Energized Buildings' as a strategy to address Pakistan's energy crisis and combat climate change. This concept involves using solar energy to transfer subsoil temperatures (23 – 24oC) into buildings during the day, maintaining cool temperatures. Additionally, passive energy stored within the buildings is used at night, contributing to energy efficiency. Mr. Ashraf concluded that the benefits include lower emissions, a solution to the energy crisis, and cost-effective heating and cooling throughout the year.

After the presentations, stakeholders engaged in constructive discussions, agreeing on a collaborative approach to address various issues related to deteriorating air quality. The consensus was to work together to formulate energy-efficient practices, promote sustainable urban development, and implement targeted interventions in sectors contributing significantly to air pollution. This collaboration involves fostering cooperation among government bodies, environmental agencies, and the public to ensure tangible improvements in air quality, paving the way for a healthier and sustainable future for the affected regions. It was decided to constitute two technical committees, i. Develop strategy to address the issue of smog by improving air quality; ii. Development of Strategy for addressing the issue of GHG emissions from the building construction sector.