Amid growing global challenges to economic, political, social, and environmental security, enhancing Public Emergency Services (PES) has become essential, with a focus on ensuring decent work and safeguarding the rights of emergency workers. Supported by PSI, WERO organised four provincial consultations in Pakistan to discuss climate change, workers' rights, and emergency response gaps.

At the workshop in Quetta, experts shared insights on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), with a focus on occupational safety and health (OSH), the rights to organise and bargain collectively, gender equality, social protection, social dialogue, and environmental considerations.

Recommendations

Participants emphasized the urgent need for training public emergency service workers in Balochistan on FPRW and OSH, recommending that PSI affiliates lead educational initiatives. Gender equality was highlighted as a critical issue, with calls for collaboration across sectors to improve conditions and create more employment opportunities for women. Concerns were raised over the cancellation of 62 public sector unions, urging PSI affiliates to support their reinstatement. Participants also advocated for increased unionization of women and their inclusion in union leadership to ensure gender balance. The mining sector was identified as particularly hazardous, prompting calls for targeted OSH training and improved rescue systems under the Balochistan OSH Act 2022. Finally, promoting social dialogue was seen as essential for strengthening labor-management relations.