The International Labor Organisation (ILO) and the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) have forged a unique partnership to promote decent work in the garment and textile industry. This partnership came out of the realization that issues in the garment industry are systemic and requires actions that help develop effective industrial relations and promote respect of international labor standards. So there was an urgent need to establish strategic and comprehensive public-private collaborations.

The partnership agreement includes a comprehensive framework on improving industrial relations through training and compliance with international labor standards including occupational safety and health, wages, nature of employment, discrimination and other forms of malpractices. The Pakistan textile industry will collaborate with ILO for improvement of working conditions and implementation of international labor standards in textile industries. This collaboration is expected to help improve the image of Pakistan textile industry as a responsible workplace that is compliant with national and international laws.

The country’s textile policy also reflects compliance with labor laws, which is of immense importance in order to reap the benefits of trade preferences such as GSP Plus. Foreign trade has a lot of attached responsibilities as international buyers are increasingly getting sensitive about ethical sourcing and international compliances.