As a matter of fact the creation of WEBCOP was itself a great positive movement wherein forward looking employers and progressive workers leadership in the national interest decided to engage in social dialogue to understand each others problems and join hands in harmonizing industrial relations and promoting industrial growth for prosperity and social uplifting of all working class through massive dose of cooperation at all level.

Since its inception the Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP) besides spreading the message of promoting bilateralism as tool for industrial growth and prosperity through better industrial relations, is contributing and facilitating at various National and Provincial forums as well as programmes to Government and other stakeholders on issues related to industrial growth, employment generation, training and poverty alleviation etc.

The Government of Pakistan, officially recognized the contribution of WEBCOP by extending invitation to WEBCOP Office Bearers for meeting on 30th April, 2001 with the then Chief Executive and now President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan which was further endorsed, when the then Chief Executive of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf while addressing the concluding session of the two day Tripartite Labour Conference publicly recognizing WEBCOP announced and directed WEBCOP to give its recommendations on Minimum Wage and Labour Policy and the Government would be pleased to accept the WEBCOP recommendations.

Internationally it has been portrayed in many conferences organized by ILO and other agencies as most successful model of bilateral social dialogue between two industrial partners. Pakistan’s achievement was recognized and appreciated as the only example in the world of bilateral effort without the assistance of Government. Inspired with the idea and effective contribution of WEBCOP, the participants of the sub-regional meeting on “Showcasing Best Practices of Social Dialogue” held on 24th – 26th September, 2003 at Puri Orissa, India proposed creation of regional council as one of the major recommendation. The Director General, International Labour Organization (ILO) while launching Global Report on 24th May, 2004 lauded formation of WEBCOP in Pakistan to overcome conflict and nurture cooperative means of addressing industrial problems in the face of globalization. 

WEBCOP is basically engaged in promoting bilateralism and creating awareness through Seminars / Workshops on issues like impact of globalization on industry, capacity building of workers and employers to prepare them to respond to the challenges of new world order under WTO regime, confidence building etc, however, some major contributions / achievements are:

Determination of Minimum Wages

A Challenge was given by the then Chief Executive and now President of Pakistan to the WEBCOP to arrive at a consensus figure of Minimum Wages for unskilled workers in Pakistan. It was a gigantic task as the Employers on the pretext of being competitive in the market wanted to keep the figure as low as possible and on the other hand the Worker’s Representatives wanted living wage which they worked out according to their own basis.

To arrive at consensus the WEBCOP had several meetings, workshops and discussion events with Trade Union Federations, Confederations, Pubic Opinion Organization and Employers Federation of Pakistan. Besides, individual proposals were also invited from Trade Unions and Employers.

After having thorough discussion and conducting exercises based on specific formula, a consensus minimum wage for unskilled worker was arrived. WEBCOP has the honour to state that the hard work put in by its members yielded the results and the minimum wage of un-skilled worker was agreed and submitted to the Government which was very conveniently accepted and announced by the Government.

New Labour Policy - 2002

The new Labour Policy enacted by the Government in 2002 after as many as 30 years, recognized the contribution of WEBCOP. It was first time in the history of Pakistan that the Workers and Employers through the efforts of WEBCOP agreed on consensus Labour Policy which was submitted to the Government for enactment.

The major focus of the Labour Policy is to create confidence and trust by enhancing the social dialogue between workers and employers through facilitating and nurturing bilateral mechanism for negotiation and mutual cooperation. The policy clearly indicates that the creation of WEBCOP by the enlightened Employers and Labour Leaders of Pakistan is a pioneering effort and a positive development in this respect. The Government fully supports this initiative and will promote steps which aid such efforts. The regulatory authority of the Government will be exercised only when bilateral mechanisms are demonstrably unable to resolve conflicts and issues. The Government as a facilitator shall persuade workers and employers organizations to evolve bilateral Code of Conduct at the level of enterprise and industry.

Industrial Relations Ordinance – 2002

To meet the challenges faced by the local industry and the economy of Pakistan as a result of globalization, liberalization of market and WTO regime, the Workers and Employers of Pakistan through the efforts of WEBCOP after having series of meetings and deep discussion agreed on all the clauses of proposed IRO and a consensus draft IRO was submitted to the Government in December, 2001.

The Government of Pakistan, unfortunately instead of taking the advantage and announcing the consensus IRO submitted by the WEBCOP made some changes in the WEBCOP recommendations and also included new clauses which were neither submitted by the WEBCOP nor were available in the IRO-1969. The enactment of IRO-2002 other than what was submitted by WEBCOP brought resentment amongst the workers and almost all the Trade Unions rejected the IRO-2002. This resulted in damaging all efforts initiated by the WEBCOP to build confidence amongst workers and employers and create environment conducive to bilateralism.

To pacify the situation, WEBCOP has once again taken up the issue with the Government and on their request had a series of meeting with Trade Union Federation and Employers’ Federation of Pakistan. A National Conference to develop consensus recommendations for changes in IRO-2002 was held on 12th July, 2003 which was attended by all the prominent national and provincial Labour Leaders and representatives of employers. The Conference was followed by another meeting of all national labour leaders and selected employer’s representatives on 26th July, 2003 and then 12th August, 2003. As a result of these hectic meeting a consensus recommendation for changes in IRO-2002 was prepared and submitted to the Government. This was not an easy task but the workers and employers have agreed on it and demonstrated their Solidarity simply out of their love for Pakistan and survival and growth of local industry.

Simplification & Consolidation of Labour Laws

To Support and strengthen the Government efforts towards simplification and consolidation of labour laws for industrial peace and growth in the Country, the Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan arranged a National Conference on labour laws on 26th December 2003. The objective of the conference was to discuss and deliberate on the following draft ordinances and prepare consensus recommendation of workers and employers.

1. Payment of Wages Ordinance, 2003
2. Conditions of Employment Ordinance. 2003
3. EOB Ordinance, 2003

The conference was attended by all the national and provincial Trade Union Leaders and Employers from all over Pakistan. Conference was followed by series of consultation meetings and discussions. As a result of these meetings and discussions consensus recommendations on all the above draft ordinances were prepared and sent to the Ministry of Labour, Manpower & Overseas Pakistan, Govt. of Pakistan.

Development of Code of Conduct for Gender Justice at Workplace

To create a work environment free from intimidation, discrimination and sexual harassment for better collective productivity and individual job satisfaction, the Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan not only contributed in the development of Code of Conduct but also initiated an effort in support of AASHA (Alliance Against Sexual Harassment) for the voluntary adoption of this code.

An annual programme to give award to 10 best organizations following the Code of Conduct was announced. Three annual programmes to give awards to management and trade union of 10 best organizations adopted and following the Code of Conduct for Gender Justice have been organized in December, 2002, 2003 & 2004. Each programme was attended by over 300 persons from Employers and Workers Organization, NGOs, Government functionaries and other Organization / Institutions.
 
Besides, two awareness programmes each with more than 200 persons from worker, employers , NGOs and Government functionaries were also organized in June and October, 2003. A training programme for HR / Admin Managers from industries / business organization to sensitize them and increase their understanding about Sexual Harassment & Discrimination as well as implementation of Code of Conduct were also organized with the support of AASHA (Alliance Against Sexual Harassment) in March and April, 2004.

Amendment in the National Training Ordinance – 1980

The best way to meet the economic and social challenges which the Country is facing in the wake of global and technological changes is to revitalize the human capital of the country which is our most valuable asset. This requires an effective training system which must be responsive to the market and flexible to adopt the fast changing needs of our trade & industry.

The Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan with a view to promote and regulate Technical Vocational Training by providing provision of public private partnership as well as giving legal coverage to Skill Development Councils functioning very successfully on  public private partnership as employer led autonomous organization, proposed joint recommendations for changes in the National Training Ordinance and got the Ordinance amended through personal follow-up upto the level of Federal Minister and the then Chief Executive of Pakistan. Through these recommendations legal coverage has been given to Skill Development Council and participation of workers and employers in the training board at national and provincial level  has been increased to 50%.

National Seminars on Safety & Health

To create awareness amongst Workers & Employers on Occupational Safety & Health Hazards and prevention and to highlight its impact on industrial organizations in context of globalization, the WEBCOP with the support of International Labour Organisation (ILO) organized two National Seminars on Safety & Health Culture in a Globalized World on 28th April, 2003 and on 28th April 2004. These programmes were attended by more than 200 workers and employers representatives including Principals of Technical & Vocational Institutes / Colleges. In both the programmes learned speakers national and international presented technical papers for updating and upgrading the knowledge of the subject.

Labour Welfare Schemes

The industrial growth and productivity can not be achieved unless the workers are economically satisfied. Realizing this reality, the Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan in addition to improving the working condition and payment of minimum wages at the enterprise level has initiated efforts to ensure that the benefits of Welfare Schemes like EOBI, Education and Training CESS, Social Security and Workers Welfare Funds are reached to the maximum number of workers. These welfare schemes are funded with employer’s contribution and in some cases also by workers under the labour legislation but are administered and controlled by the state. The benefits of these schemes do not reach to workers because of their poor management. In some cases funds and resources of these schemes are utilized by the Government towards non developmental expenditures.

Therefore, to strengthen these institutions, make these schemes useful to workers and maintain transparency, both the workers and employers agreed and developed a consensus recommendation which provides that the workers and employers be given more representation and power in the administration of such schemes. They must also be taken from the proper representative bodies rather then using the formula of Pick-Choose.

Technical & Vocational Training to Workers & their Children

WEBCOP with a view to provide maximum employment opportunities, career advancement and to prepare them to engage in some other income generating activities through self employment, has initiated programme through Skill Development Council which is a Secretariat of the WEBCOP of providing free Technical & Vocational Training to workers and children of industrial workers.

So far more than 4000 workers and their children have been provided the training in various vocational qualifications from basic to advance level courses. WEBCOP has also taken-up this issue with the Federal Government through SDCs to provide funds from Workers Welfare Fund, Export Development Funds and Overseas Pakistanis Funds for the training of workers and their children in the occupations which are in demand in the local market, neighboring countries and for export oriented industry, to increase competitiveness for international market. The proposed need based employment oriented programmes would provide better employment opportunities to trainees on one hand and requisite work force to the industry on the other.