By Adnan Hameed TWA ______ The International Labour Organization (ILO) recognizes the challenges policymakers face in a landscape saturated with misinformation and disinformation. To address this, the ILO launched a five-day intensive training in Islamabad today, aimed at empowering key stakeholders in Pakistan to harness the power of evidence-based policymaking for decent work and social justice.

According to the press note, The training “National Training on Evidence-based Policymaking for Decent Work and Social Justice”, taking place from September 2-6, 2024, is designed to equip stakeholders with the skills to critically assess and use evidence, fostering a more informed, transparent, and effective policymaking process in the country. It will also enhance their capacity to evaluate and apply data, research, and best practices in shaping impactful policies for the world of work, with focus priority areas identified in the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) IV, agreed upon by tripartite constituents in May 2023. In collaboration with its Research Department and ILO Country Office in Pakistan, the ILO brought together government officials, trade union representatives, and employer associations for this comprehensive training programme.

Highlighting the training’s significance, Naren Prasad, Head, Education and Training for Research at ILO said, “the programme is about equipping participants with the skills to turn solid evidence into actionable policies, ensuring that the pursui de 3t of social justice in Pakistan is both informed and impactful.” He further said that training will gain a robust toolkit of research methods, analytical tools, and databases, adding that these skills are crucial for developing, advocating, and influencing policies that promote decent work. The programme covers critical topics such as migration, minimum wage setting, and informality in the labour market. By the end of the programme, each participant will draft and present a policy brief on a selected topic, applying the tools and knowledge acquired during the training. Geir Tonstol, Country Director for ILO Pakistan said, “this training is a fulfillment of ILO’s commitment to strengthening policy making in Pakistan. To achieve the priorities envisioned in the DWCP, it’s critical to generate data and assimilate information to understand job growth sectors, required skills, and decent work deficits that will inform social dialogue and policy discourse at all levels, the press note issued on Monday said.