Challenges in Cotton Production Discussed at EFP\u2019s Session, Small Cotton Growers\u2019 Association Proposed
\n KARACHI
\nThe Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the Rise for Impact (Cotton INDITEX Project), organized the fourth awareness-raising session in its series to promote Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in the Cotton Supply Chain in the District of Rahim Yar Khan.
\nThe purpose of the session was to enhance respect for Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) within cotton-growing landlord communities and promote decent working conditions throughout the cotton supply chain.
\nWhile providing an overview of the sessions, Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General of EFP, highlighted the importance of FPRW in ensuring decent work for everyone and pointed out EFP\u2019s efforts and achievements in fostering responsible business practices.
\nMr. Nazar further emphasized that creating decent working conditions is crucial for better cotton production and is a key requirement for maintaining Pakistan\u2019s GSP+ status.
\nGulfam Nabi, Consultant, gave a detailed presentation on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, covering all five key areas of FPRW.
\nThese include the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, ensuring that workers and employers have the right to freely form and join organizations, trade unions, and employers\u2019 associations without fear of retaliation or interference.
\nThe elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, which seeks to eradicate any work or service performed under coercion, threats, or lack of free will, including practices like debt bondage, human trafficking, and slavery.
\nThe principle of the effective abolition of child labour, ensuring that children are protected from work that deprives them of education, health, and development.
\nThe elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to employment opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace, regardless of characteristics such as race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or disability.
\nFinally, a safe and healthy working environment, ensuring that workers are protected from hazards and risks that could harm their physical and mental well-being.
\nDuring the open discussion sessions, participants highlighted various challenges, particularly the unavailability of goods, defective and low-yielding seeds, and the poor quality of urea being supplied. These issues not only hinder the growth of cotton crops but also negatively impact overall economic conditions.
\nTo address these concerns, Mr. Nazar emphasized the importance of social dialogue and proposed the establishment of a forum for small-scale cotton growers\u2019 associations to raise a unified voice and engage in discussions with other stakeholders.
\nParticipants also explored and discussed the advantages of forming an employer\u2019s association and collectively agreed to establish a small cotton growers\u2019 association. They suggested naming the association the Small Cotton Growing Landlords Association, District Rahim Yar Khan.
\nA committee was set up to finalize the representation of the members\u2019 occupations. Furthermore, the participants requested technical assistance from the EFP in developing a memorandum of association and supporting the registration process with the respective forums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Challenges in Cotton Production Discussed at EFP\u2019s Session, Small Cotton Growers\u2019 Association Proposed KARACHI The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the Rise for Impact (Cotton INDITEX Project), organized the fourth awareness-raising session in its series to promote Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":455484,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-455460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n