Media Update 16 March 2021 ___________ ILO PRESS RELEASE Karachi (12th March) The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), with the technical support of the ILO Pakistan Office, Organized ‘National Employers Meeting on Decent Work and Sustainable Development and 8th Employers of the Year Award,2020. Dr. Arif Alvi, The President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan was the Chief Guest who presided over the meeting, and distributed awards in the ceremony. Ms. Ingrid Christensen, Country Director, ILO Pakistan Office, represented the ILO in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, reiterated the need for the employers to boost the exports by value addition which results in enhancing not only the exports but also in broadening the export market. Ms. Ingrid Christensen, Country Director, ILO Pakistan, highlighted the effects of COVID-19 globally which posed challenges to the employers and workers alike. But different countries and Pakistan endevaoured and came out of this pandemic through smart lock down and other initiatives. Mr. Ismail Suttar, President Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) shared that that 25 companies had been awarded under different categories and this will pave the path in motivating other employers and companies in promoting best practices related to OSH, skills enhancement, sustainable development etc. The Employer of the Year Award is an initiative by the EFP that is geared towards promoting, encouraging and highlighting best practices in the areas of Management, HR Management, OSH&E, Skill Enhancement, Sustainable development, etc. Companies are invited to participate in the Contest and based on their evaluation, the winning companies are recognized by conferring upon them “EFP’s Employer of the Year Award” and “CEO of the Year Award”. Pictures courtesy (By Umar Shah Diplomatic (Aroo Aree Studio ) E-mail: [email protected], Web: pakistan.un.org E-mail: [email protected], Web: pakistan.un.org .