Speakers call for more robust social protection policies and end to privatisation

ISLAMABAD: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Pakistan (FES Pakistan), in collaboration with Public Service International (PSI), organised a “Public Hearing on Privatisation and Public Debt in Pakistan” on Friday.

The event aimed to address pressing issues related to privatisation policies and public debt and their impact on workers’ rights and public welfare in the country.

FES Pakistan Programme Adviser Abdullah Dayo welcomed panelists, including members of the privatization commission and senior labour leaders of trade unions from across Pakistan.

PSI Regional Secretary for Asia-Pacific Kate Lapin passionately voiced her concerns about the adverse effects of privatisation policies during the public hearing. She drew attention to the impact of privatisation on public services, low-income families, and marginalized groups, emphasising that Pakistan is at a turning point, facing challenges and turmoil.

She added that Pakistan taxes people and not corporations, highlighting the need to build a resilient economy with resilient public services. She stressed that social dialogue must be a fundamental premise for any decisions regarding the future of the country, privatization, and public services.

On this occasion, a report on the “Impact of foreign debt on labor rights in Pakistan” was also launched. While sharing the salient features of the report, the author, Zulfiqar Shah, shared some shocking facts, revealing that there is no positive impact of debt on the people of Pakistan, as the country’s debt stands at 124 billion dollars, yet social indicators have not improved.

Dr Aliya Hashmi, a renowned senior economist, stressed the need to strike a balance between public-centric and private-centric norms and called for united efforts to protect workers’ rights.

Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairperson Iqbal Detho outlined SHRC’s mandate of promoting and protecting human rights.

He shared recent human rights policy developments, including the cognizance powers of SHRC to take legal action against human rights abuses in both public and private establishments, as well as the inclusion of labor laws in legal aid services.

He affirmed his commitment to working as a bridge between civil society and the government to address human rights violations.

Member of the Privatization Commission Shahbaz Jameel

stated that laws are made, challenged, and sometimes found wrong. He assured senior leadership of Pakistan’s labor leaders that the Privatization Commission would look into the concerns raised during the public hearing.

Former federal minister Naveed Qamar emphasised the need for initiating a regular dialogue on privatisation.

He noted that Pakistan’s financial situation has deteriorated to the point where policymakers have no solutions, and only desperate measures are being considered. He called for the labor movement to actively engage in dialogue with policymakers to safeguard workers’ rights.

The public hearing witnessed active participation from over 30 trade unions and workers’ organizations. Their testimonies and experiences were instrumental in highlighting the challenges faced by workers due to privatization policies. Veteran trade unionists, including Khursheed Ahmed, Sultan Khan Habib-ud-din Junaidi, Karamat Ali, Chaudhry Mouhammad Yaseen, and others, spoke at the forum.

Throughout the event, FES Pakistan’s commitment to addressing these issues and collaborating with PSI and other organizations to support workers’ rights and promote public welfare was reiterated.

The shared experiences and recommendations from this public hearing will be documented and presented to the new government in Islamabad, international financial institutions, and the UN’s committee on foreign debt as part of the collective effort to find solutions to the challenges posed by privatisation in the region.