Chairman of the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) Justice (retd) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui announced on Thursday a seminar in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) scheduled for May 1st in the federal capital.
The seminar aims to address the challenges hindering the relationship between employers and employees and to propose solutions to these issues.
Speaking to reporters alongside other members of the Commission, Siddiqui highlighted that out of the country’s 70 million workers, only a mere 14% qualify as regular employees.
“We will strive to bring employees from other sectors, who are deprived of legal protection, including private bike riders, under the definition of regular workers,” he stated.
He emphasized that the primary objective of the NIRC is to facilitate the resolution of disputes between employees and employers.
Following the restoration of public confidence, the number of cases filed with the NIRC had increased, he informed the media. He added that the number of pending cases had also significantly decreased with the commencement of hearings via video link.
“In the future, a plan for e-filing is also being developed. Its proforma will be released on the website,” he informed.
He remarked that an improvement in the NIRC’s performance would address the reservations and concerns of the European Union (EU) regarding Pakistan.
He stated that judges from the Supreme Court and Lahore High Court, the Attorney General, and federal ministers would address the seminar.
All employers, including those in the media, telecom, and hotel industries, have been invited to participate in the seminar, including Mir Ibrahim Rahman of Jang Group and Shakeel Masood of Dawn Group.
