Rights of labor working on CPEC projects must be protected: Farhatullah Babar

Senator Farhatullah Babar, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, stated that there is a need for transparency in all the infrastructure projects under the CPEC.

He said that it is essential for the people to be aware of what the government is signing up for on behalf Pakistan’s workforce. He made these statements during a discussion on ‘Business and Human rights’ at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

IA Rehman, National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) Chairman Justice Chowhan, Human Rights Division Secretary Rabia Javeria,  Zafarullah Khan, PIPS Executive Director, as well as number of business executives addressed the gathering as well.

Farhatullah Babar also added that labor bodies have been demanding that the rights of the local labour in projects under CPEC must not be overlooked. However, from the side of the government, there has been no assurance in this regard. He noted that the basic rights of the labour force must not be ignored.

“Presently, permission to undertake large projects is linked to its impact on the environment. The same principle needs to be extended to the impact of a project on the human rights of workers before permission is accorded.”