As of January 2025, Pakistan’s occupational safety and health (OSH) landscape remains riddled with challenges, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive reforms. Despite being a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) since 1947 and ratifying 36 conventions (30 of which remain in force), including the eight core conventions, Pakistan has yet to adopt critical instruments such as the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1985 (No. 161), and the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176).

Furthermore, Pakistan has not ratified as many as 57 ILO conventions across various sectors, underscoring the slow progress in improving workplace standards and the lives of its workforce.

Reliable data on workplace accidents and occupational diseases is notably scarce due to the absence of a centralised system for recording such incidents. This lack of data hampers efforts to identify trends and implement targeted interventions.

Globally, vulnerabilities across sectors, climate change, and rising occupational hazards have amplified the need for urgent action. According to the ILO, approximately 2.78 million workers die annually due to global work-related accidents or diseases, with an additional 374m non-fatal injuries reported each year.

Unsafe work conditions lead to lost productivity, higher healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life for workers and their families

In Pakistan, the situation is particularly dire for the 67.25m employed workforce. The ILO has confirmed that OSH conditions in both formal and informal sectors are alarmingly poor.........

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