Mapping Labour Unions in Pakistan 1.5. Trade Unions and Challenges This section presents observations by international monitoring mechanisms concerning the right to organisation in Pakistan. Following this, a brief list of challenges outlined by workers in interviews conducted for the research has been presented. 1.5.1. International organisations’ observations (CEACR and GSP+) The ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations(CEACR) and the Committee on the Application of Standards(CAS) deal with reports on the legal and practical efforts taken by member countries to implement the conventions ratified sent from each country. The CEACR is made up of legal specialists that are all independent (not ILO officials, often judges and professors). The CEACR meets once a year(November–December) to discuss all reports and provide comments/ observations on non-conformity and implementation progress. The CAS operates under the auspices of the International Labour Conference. 23 ILO's CEACR has repeatedly voiced concerns about Pakistan’s performance concerning implementing the freedom of association and collective bargaining conventions. The committee has duly noted restrictions on unionisation, taking exception that employees in some public sectors and ‘essential' service sectors, such as agriculture, health, education, banking, security, and employees in special economic and trade zones, have been barred from founding unions.“While unions can be formed in principle in the massive informal sector, there is no legislative structure for unionisation and collective bargaining. The Federal and Provincial Industrial Relations Act only apply to the formal sector.” 24 23. ILO. Reporting on ILO Conventions and Recommendations. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/ groups/public/---americas/---ro-lima/---sro-port_of_spain/documents/presentation/ wcms_574132.pdf 24. European Commission. 2016. Joint Staff Working Document.'The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance('GSP+') covering the period 2014 – 2015. https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/january/ tradoc_154178.pdf 14