Mapping Labour Unions in Pakistan 4.4. For International Support Organisations 1. The role of the International Labour Organisation(ILO) is important for promoting trade unions and improvement of working conditions for labour. In Pakistan, trade unions feel that ILO is not positively playing its role. They allege that ILO is promoting only one trade union federation and a particular leadership, which is not benefiting the overall majority of labour in Pakistan. 2. The ILO should redefine its role in Pakistan. It should give strong support to the trade union by removing the impression of being an adversary. 3. International journalists’ unions like the International Federation of Journalists or Reporters San Frontier or Committee for Protection of Journalists have significantly supported Pakistani journalists. They have put strong pressure on the Pakistan government, which has benefitted the local journalists. The ILO should do the same to ask the government to end discriminatory laws and regulations in the country. 4. The European Union has provided GSP+ status to Pakistani exporters for tariff-free export in the European markets. This facility has benefitted Pakistani industries a lot in increasing their exports. But the government has not effectively implemented all the 27 international commitments, which includes 8 ILO Core Labour Conventions. The EU should play a role in the effective implementation of all GSP+ related conventions. 5. International unions and labour supporting organisations should share their experiences with Pakistani trade unions as to how the sector-wise unions are operating in the developed countries. They should assist Pakistani trade unions in forming industrial unions and trade unions for informal workers and agriculture workers. 63