Workers’ welfare has become the hallmark of the textile industry in Asian and African subcontinents after a constant emphasis on social standards targeting workers from the US, European Union, and global brands.
A recent visit of the EU Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Riina Koinka to the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association witnessed the exchange of some serious notes on the issue, as there was vociferous stress on the part of the APTMA members that they are compliant with labour rights in line with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the result of a constant watch of the global brands they are producing for. However, the visiting envoy still asked for more to do before qualifying for the facility by the end of 2023.
Similarly, some 20 textile sector organizations have also assembled to review progress on labour rights in Kenya with a joint mindset of investing more ahead.
It may be noted that beneficiaries of the EU’s GSP+ scheme, eight in total across Asia as well as Africa, are enjoying zero duties for 66 per cent tariff lines pledging to ratify and effectively implement core international human rights (7 conventions), labour rights (8 conventions), environment protection (8 conventions) and good governance (4 conventions) conventions.
The draft regulation (to be applicable from 2024-34) adds six new conventions, including the ILO’s Labour Inspection Convention (No 81) and Tripartite Consultations Convention (No 144). Under the new regulation, the GSP+ aspirants must submit a plan of action to effectively implement the 33 conventions.
