Pakistan: National and International Legal Framework – OSH, Human Rights and Labor Laws

1. Constitution of Pakistan

Supreme legal framework ensuring fundamental rights and protections

2. National Laws

A. Human Rights

Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010 / 2022
Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1992
Pakistan Penal Code (Relevant Sections) Act, 1860
Child Labor (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 2016
Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018

B. Labor Laws

Industrial Relations Act, 2012
Payment of Wages Act, 1936
Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961
Shops and Establishment Ordinance, 1969
Employees' Old Age Benefits Act, 1976
Employees' Social Security Ordinance, 1965
Maternity Benefits Ordinance, 1958

C. Occupational Safety & Health (OSH)

Factories Act, 1934
Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923
Factories (Amendment) Acts – OSH Provisions
Provincial OSH Rules & Regulations

3. Provincial Laws (Post 18th Amendment)

● Punjab

Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2019
Punjab Minimum Wages Act, 2019
Punjab Prohibition of Child Labor at Brick Kilns Act, 2016
Punjab Social Security (Amendments)

● Sindh

Sindh Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2017
Sindh Employees Social Security Act, 2016
Sindh Factories Act (Amendments, 2015)
Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2017
Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act, 2019

● Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)

KP Factories Act 2013 (Amendments)
KP Mines Safety & Welfare Regulations 2016
KP Prohibition of Child Labor Act, 2015
KP Social Security (Amendments) 2013

● Balochistan

Balochistan Factories (Amendment) Act
Balochistan Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2021
Balochistan Social Security (Amendments) 2015

4. International Conventions Ratified by Pakistan

A. Human Rights (UN Treaties)

ICCPR – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
ICESCR – International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
CRC – Convention on the Rights of the Child
CAT – Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
CERD – Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
CRC-OP-AC – Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict
CRC-OP-SC – Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
CRPD – Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

B. Labor Rights & OSH (ILO Conventions)

Fundamental Labor Rights

C087 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize
C098 – Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining
C100 – Equal Remuneration
C111 – Discrimination (Employment & Occupation)

Child Labor and Forced Labor

C029 – Forced Labor
C105 – Abolition of Forced Labor
C138 – Minimum Age
C182 – Worst Forms of Child Labor

OSH & Labor Inspection

C081 – Labor Inspection Convention
C144 – Tripartite Consultation (International Labor Standards) Convention