A Task Force on promoting sustainable and responsible business in the Sialkot sports goods manufacturing sector comprising of the following members was established. Labour and Human Resources Department, Government of the Punjab, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PSGMEA), Sialkot, Women Entrepreneur Cell of the SCCI, Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), Companies representing sports goods manufacturing sector in Sialkot will be a part of the dialogue (five big and five SME - total 10), Other collaborating partners will be UN, Academia, Media and NGOs .
Key aim of the Task Force is to spearhead the promotion of sustainable and responsible business in the Sialkot Sports Goods Manufacturing Sector, through the establishment of a dialogue platform for the buyers/brands and suppliers to address the above issues.
It will seek to showcase and introduce new initiatives in the sector that would improve productivity, competitiveness and profitability in the sports goods industry in Sialkot, and encourage MNEs to contribute positively to economic and social development through socially responsible labour practices in Sialkot.
This is in line with the ILO MNE Declaration which encourages positive contributions of MNEs to economic and social progress, and seeks to minimise and resolve the difficulties to which their operations may give rise. In order to raise awareness, material on the principles of the Multinational Enterprises & Social policy Deceleration (MNED) of ILO, brochure on more and better jobs through socially responsible labour practices in the Asia-Pacific Region and fact sheet on the MNED Project in Sialkot-Pakistan was distributed to all participants of the workshop. First phase of the MNED Project in Sialkot was evaluated and achievements of the project were appreciated by the stakeholders. The participants gave recommendations on the core areas of work for future.
Saleem Hussain Director General Labour Welfare Government of the Punjab, Office Bearers of the SCCI, EFP, Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Associations (PSGMEA), Officials of ILO Country Office for Pakistan-Islamabad and a large number sports goods manufacturers in Sialkot attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017