SPN

Safe Planet News

Improving Occupational Health and Safety Compliance in Pakistan: Lessons from Southeast Asia

Pakistan’s industrial landscape ranges from sprawling garment factories and steel mills to small workshops and a huge informal sector. As tragedies like the 2012 Baldia Town factory fire—in which 260 workers died after an exit was locked—and recent boiler explosions show, poor occupational health and safety (OHS) practices continue to claim lives. Pakistan has ratified 36 International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, but still has not adopted key OHS instruments such as Convention 161 on Occupational Health Services and Convention 176 on Safety and Health in Mines[1]. Reliable data on workplace accidents is scarce because there is no centralised reporting system; the ILO estimates that 1,136 injuries occur per 100,000 workers annually, a figure widely regarded as an under‑estimate[2]. Frequent accidents—ranging from mine collapses to factory boiler explosions—underscore how far Pakistan lags behind regional peers in OHS compliance[3].

The state of OHS compliance in Pakistan

Pakistan’s federal Occupational Safety and Health Act 2018 and various provincial laws (Sindh 2017, Punjab 2019/2022, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2022) provide a legal framework. Yet enforcement is weak. Inspection systems are under‑resourced, employers view safety as a cost rather than an investment, and most workers are not aware of their rights. Much of the economy operates informally; unregistered factories escape scrutiny altogether. Many buildings lack fire exits and basic safety equipment. The 2012 Baldia factory fire and a series of 2024–2025 boiler explosions illustrate systemic failures[3].

Stay Connected

Similar Articles

Tragedy in Boston: The 1975 Fire That Changed Fire Safety

Work-Related Stress: What to Look For

HSE Executive UK published 2025 Annual Accidents Report

Why Workplace Safety Data Matters for Strengthening Pakistan’s Health and

Improving Occupational Health and Safety Compliance in Pakistan: Lessons from

To address these issues, experts at a recent national conference urged Pakistan to modernise labour laws, ratify outstanding ILO conventions, and adopt a national OHS policy. They called for a robust inspection system, awareness campaigns for employers and workers, capacity‑building for regulators, incentives for safer technology, and stricter penalties for violators[4]. Such proposals remain largely on paper, but a few initiatives show promise.

The Pakistan Accord

The Pakistan Accord on Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry—an extension of the Bangladesh Accord—illustrates how binding agreements can drive compliance. Launched in 2023, the Accord brings together brands, unions and local manufacturers. By August 2024, safety inspectors had conducted fire, electrical and structural audits at 185 factories in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad, identifying more than 5,500 safety issues[5]. Immediate actions included reducing loads on overstressed columns and shutting down unsafe electrical panels[6]. Corrective action plans have been published for 30 factories, promoting transparency[7]. Although this programme covers only a fraction of Pakistan’s factories, it demonstrates that enforceable agreements with buyer pressure can compel suppliers to invest in safer infrastructure.

Learning from Bangladesh

Pakistan’s garment sector competes directly with Bangladesh’s, where the Bangladesh Accord (2013–2018) transformed workplace safety following the Rana Plaza collapse that killed more than 1,130 workers. The Accord conducted 66,000 safety inspections, achieving a 92 % remediation rate, and trained over 2.5 million workers on fire, electrical and structural safety[8]. Its complaint mechanism addressed 1,681 grievances, and women played a significant role: 6,046 women served on factory safety committees and 1.6 million women were trained[9]. The International Accord has since been extended to Pakistan; however, progress remains modest, with 223 women on safety committees and around 2,000 women receiving training[10]. The contrast underscores the need for scale and genuine collaboration among brands, unions and local authorities in Pakistan.

Regional comparisons: Southeast Asia’s reforms

While Pakistan grapples with fragmented laws and weak enforcement, several Southeast Asian countries are modernising their OHS regimes. Their experiences offer instructive lessons.

Malaysia: comprehensive amendments and tougher penalties

Malaysia’s Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022, which came into force on 1 June 2024, extends OHS coverage to all workplaces, including public services and statutory authorities, whereas the previous law covered only specific industries such as manufacturing, hospitality and construction[11]. Employees are explicitly granted the right to remove themselves from “imminent danger” if employers fail to address risks[12]. The amendments introduce new duties for principals and employers: companies that contract work must ensure the safety of contractors and subcontractors; employers must conduct risk assessments and implement controls; and directors can be held jointly liable if they cannot prove due diligence[13]. Penalties have increased dramatically—from RM 50,000 to RM 500,000 (US $10,600–$106,000) for breaches[14]—and workplaces with five or more employees must appoint an OHS coordinator[15]. These reforms signal strong political will and provide a deterrent effect absent in Pakistan.

Philippines: universal health care and strict reporting

In May 2025, the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment issued Department Order 252-25, adopting revised implementing rules of Republic Act 11058 on occupational safety and health. The new rules broaden jurisdiction to all establishments, projects and work sites, including special economic zones and government‑owned corporations[16]. They emphasise shared responsibility between employers and employees and—uniquely—integrate universal health care (UHC) into workplace safety: employers must ensure that all workers are registered under the National Health Insurance Programme, remit contributions to PhilHealth, and provide access to comprehensive medical services[17]. The order mandates submission of periodic reports through an online portal: companies must file annual medical reports, accident/illness exposure data and monthly incident reports even if no incidents occur[18]. Non‑traditional workplaces (residences, co‑working spaces) are covered, and willful non‑compliance after official notices triggers administrative fines and sanctions[19]. Such data‑driven accountability is lacking in Pakistan, where accident statistics are sporadic and often disputed.

Thailand: comprehensive safety officer regulations

Thailand overhauled its occupational safety system with a Ministerial Regulation on Occupational Safety Officers, Personnel, Department or Committee issued in June 2022. The regulation took effect on 16 August 2022 and revokes earlier standards, obligating employers to appoint safety officers, safety committees and a safety department in accordance with criteria set by the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare[20]. Businesses are categorised into high-, medium‑ and low‑risk lists, and each category determines the number and level of safety officers required[21]. Hotels, department stores and hospitals—which previously needed only supervisor‑ and management‑level officers—must now also appoint technical‑level safety officers[22]. Qualifications have been broadened: employees with any degree may register as technical‑level safety officers after training, and professional‑level officers no longer need a specific occupational health degree but must have relevant experience[23]. Safety officers must be stationed full‑time and undertake at least 12 hours of annual training[24]. Such detailed appointment and training provisions provide clarity and standardisation, something Pakistani laws currently lack.

Indonesia: national programmes and sector‑specific codes

Indonesia is updating its OHS framework through a National OSH Programme 2024‑2029. Launched in April 2024, the programme aims to reduce occupational accident rates by at least 10 % from 298,137 recorded cases in 2022; however, accidents increased to 370,747 in 2023, underscoring the urgency[25]. The programme identifies outdated legislation (Law No. 1 of 1970) as a challenge and calls for a comprehensive revision to align with modern workplace dynamics, including automation and remote work[26]. The government plans to amend the law, issue derivative regulations, and develop a presidential decree promoting a national safety culture[27]. On 28 April 2025, Indonesia became the first country to translate and integrate the updated ILO code of practice on safety and health in forestry work into its national framework[28]. The Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Forestry and industry stakeholders launched the code during World Day for Safety and Health at Work, signalling commitment to improve conditions in one of the country’s most hazardous sectors[28]. Government officials emphasised that adapting the code aligns with the broader strategy to revise OHS laws and that new regulations will be implemented in 2026[29]. This illustrates a proactive approach to sector‑specific hazards and the incorporation of international best practices.

Lessons for Pakistan

While Pakistan grapples with fragmented laws and weak enforcement, several Southeast Asian countries are modernising their OHS regimes. Their experiences offer instructive lessons.

1. Broad coverageof all workplaces

Malaysia’s amended law and the Philippines’ revised implementing rules extend OHS requirements to every workplace, including public services and non‑traditional work environments[11][16]. Pakistan’s laws need similar universality; many informal factories operate outside current regulatory scopes.

2. Clear duties and empowered workers –

Malaysia’s amendments impose specific duties on principals and employers, require risk assessments and allow workers to withdraw from imminent danger[13][12]. Pakistan’s acts vaguely assign responsibility, often leaving workers powerless; explicit rights and duties would facilitate compliance.

3. Stricter penalties and liability –

Rising fines and personal liability for directors in Malaysia, and administrative penalties for willful non‑compliance in the Philippines, create incentives for employers to invest in safety[14][19]. Pakistan’s penalties are outdated and enforcement inconsistent; revising fines and holding executives accountable could deter negligence.

4. Data‑driven oversight and mandatory reporting –

The Philippines requires periodic online reporting of accidents and illnesses[18]; Indonesia’s OSH programme emphasises data and aims to cut accidents by measurable targets[25]. Pakistan lacks reliable OHS statistics; establishing a national reporting platform would reveal problem areas and guide policy.

5. Training and professionalisation of safety roles –

Thailand mandates full‑time safety officers with prescribed qualifications and training[24], while Malaysia requires employers to appoint OHS coordinators[15]. Pakistan should professionalise safety roles, ensuring that factories have trained officers who can enforce standards.

6. Integration with health services –

By linking OHS compliance with national health insurance, the Philippines underscores that worker safety is part of public health[17]. Pakistan could integrate OHS with its health system, ensuring injured workers receive care and employers bear the cost of unsafe conditions.

7. Sector‑specific codes and international cooperation –

Indonesia’s adaptation of the ILO forestry code demonstrates the value of tailoring guidelines to hazardous sectors[28]. Pakistan’s mining sector, for instance, would benefit from adopting ILO Convention 176 and codes of practice for mines.

The way forward for Pakistan

Pakistan’s government, employers and worker organisations must move beyond rhetoric and adopt concrete measures. Ratifying ILO Conventions 161 and 176 would signal commitment. A national OHS authority could harmonise provincial laws, collect data and enforce standards. The government should adopt Malaysia‑style amendments to broaden coverage and strengthen penalties, and follow the Philippines in linking OHS compliance to universal health coverage and mandatory reporting. A comprehensive training and certification programme for safety officers, modelled on Thailand’s regulations, would professionalise safety roles across industries. Finally, Pakistan should expand the Pakistan Accord beyond the garment sector, replicate Bangladesh’s worker‑centric inspections, and encourage multinationals to require compliance in their supply chains.

About SPN

Safe Planet News (SPN) is Pakistan’s independent news and information platform dedicated to Occupational Health & Safety (HSE), sustainability and environmental issues. Our mission is to empower professionals with credible, timely and actionable updates on matters that affect human well being, workslace safety, and the planet we live on.

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram

Recent Post

Popular Categories