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National Consultation on compliance and

coordination of the EU granted GSP+ Scheme

Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research rights and also guide the EU to have realistic expec-
(PILER) organised a National Consultation on tations given the challenges on the ground. Com-
compliance and coordination of the GSP+ Scheme merce Minister thanked the EU for granting the
ongoing since January 2014. The objectives were to GSP+ which has immensely helped export sector to
explore channels for improved coordination for grow despite economic difficulties.
follow-up on rights treaties in GSP+, to provide
platform to government to showcase their work on Razak said, “We are working in all 27 conventions
GSP+ and to share recommendations nationally with given by European Union after signing the General-
all stakeholders. ized Schemes of Preference (GSP Plus), including 7
conventions related to labor condition in the country”.
Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Industries He added that in the last six months, Pakistan’s
and Investment Mr. Abdul Razaq Dawood, Parliamen- exports in value addition notably increased as
tary Secretary Human Rights Mr. Lal Chand Malhi compared to past years. He said after signing the
(MNA) and EU Ambassador to Pakistan H. E. Mrs GSP-Plus in 2013, local exports to the EU countries
Androulla Kaminara as well as Country Director ILO rose by 51 percent and 41 percent in value.
Ms. Ingrid Christensen addressed the gathering
comprising stakeholders from the government, the While addressing the gathering Ambassador delega-
industry and the trade Unions. tion of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan, Ms
Androulla Kaminara said that Pakistan had performed
Executive Director PILER Mr. Karamat Ali welcomed very well for achieving the implementation of 27
the participants and stated that inputs from the convention of EU GSP-Plus. She added that EU
consultation will help guide government actions preference respect global rules, environment, good
towards better compliance on human and labour governance, gender equality for sustainable growth.

H&M and IKEA alliance to keep recycled textiles free

from toxic chemicals

Due to sustainability culture in the fashion industry, Biverstål said that 8,000 tests are performed on
two leading brands H&M and IKEA declared to different collected recycled textiles and both
work in partnership about the study on toxic groups try to develop an action plan for using toxic
chemicals used in textile recycling. According to chemical-free recycled textile products, without
this partnership, both brands agree to direct compromising on the safety standards.
companies about not to use toxic chemicals.
The aim of the study is to encourage the supplier
The conference on sustainability in textile 2019, industry regarding the use of recycled textiles and
companies and organizations gathered to give a set standards and rules about the use of chemicals
solution regarding the current challenge. H&M in the recycling of textiles.
member Anna Biverstål, manager Global business
Expert, and Nils Mansson, member of IKEA brand, Linn Farhadi said that the purpose of this study was
shared their preliminary findings with the industry. to give awareness about the use of recycling
The use of recycled materials in textile industry materials and keep in mind these toxic chemicals
plays a vital role in increasing economy, but most while using recycled materials. Collaborations and
concerning is the use of toxic materials in the data sharing within and across industries are key to
recycle materials, H&M and IKEA are delighted to enable real, positive change. This joint study
announce that both brands are working on toxic between H&M Group and IKEA serves as a great
free chemical products. Member from H&M Anna example of this approach.

October/November 2019