KiK signs an International Accord for protection of industrial workers in Pakistan

German company KiK, has signed an International Accord (Measures for the Protection of Workers and Environment) on the Bangladesh model for the protection of industrial workers in Pakistan.

At a ceremony held on Thursday in Karachi at a local hotel, the agreement was signed by KiK CEO Petrick Zahn together with leaders of Pakistan’s textile sector, labor protection organization, Employers Association of Pakistan, and other stakeholders. Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, the German consul general, also attended the ceremony.

Patrick Zahn, the CEO of Kik, praised the impending conclusion of talks and declared that his company would be among the first to sign the deal when recently on an inspection tour in Pakistan.

Zahn said that through their “Pakistan Building Safety Initiative,” hey have made significant advancements in electrical and fire safety over the past five years. With the Accord Pakistan, they can collaborate with many other stakeholders to achieve higher standards in textile production. Zahn further emphasized the significance of the Accord Pakistan and its relevance to the new supply chain regulations.

Workers will receive training under the International Agreement on Worker Safety and Making the Supply Chain Safe for Workers, according to the agreement between German company KiK and Pakistani stakeholders. Workers will also have the ability to file complaints if safety regulations are not followed.

Ansgar Lohmann, head of CSR at KiK, said that a mechanism would be established via which laborers and workers can directly report to the appointed representatives of the KiK about the nature of the infringement. In order to give the workers a safe and healthy environment, health and safety committees would be constituted in the industrial units.

Consul General of Germany, Rüdiger Lotz, said that the international agreement between Pakistan’s textile industry and the German company KiK, is a significant step that will help the country’s textile and apparel sector develop more quickly and guarantee the safety and security of workers involved in this industry.

Lotz added that this is a significant development for Pakistan in light of Germany’s new Supply Chain Act, and KiK is dedicated to working with its partners in Pakistan to produce outcomes from this agreement that will last.

Petrick Zahn said that the company has been working to improve worker safety in Pakistan since 2017. However, after seeing the International Accord’s most significant outcomes in Bangladesh, a similar agreement has been reached with the textile industry and the trade organization. In order to protect industrial units from fire and secure electrical systems and infrastructure, during the previous five years, KiK has made significant strides under the Pakistan Building Safety Initiative. He hoped that the International Accord’s implementation would enhance Pakistan’s ability to produce high-quality textiles.

Lohmann added that KiK has more than 4,000 stores throughout Europe, with Pakistan being the third-most important market after China and Bangladesh. Although KiK already imports goods worth over 100 million euros from Pakistan each year, the execution of the International Accord will result in a major rise in product exports to both KiK and other foreign customers.