Before World War I, trade associations and chambers of commerce largely ignored labor issues, addressing them only sporadically in cases of employee unrest or union activity. Employers generally displayed indifference or even hostility towards labor concerns. However, as the war progressed and skilled labor shortages emerged, some industries began to implement measures such as regulated working hours and standardized wages to address these challenges. This period also saw the rise of labor unions.
Although chambers of commerce in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent were established as early as 1830, industrialists’ interests began to coalesce around 1920. The friction between Indian traders and British business interests, combined with support for the Swadeshi movement, was instrumental in the creation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 1927.
In 1931, the Government of India informed FICCI that it could not be recognized as an industrial employers’ organization under the Treaty of Versailles. To address this, the All Indian Organization of Industrial Employers (AIOE) was established. Concurrently, the Bombay Chamber and Bengal Chamber initiated the formation of the Employers’ Federation of India (EFI) in 1933. Thus, until independence, the AIOE managed affairs in the Northern and Eastern parts of the subcontinent, while the EFI covered the Southern and Western regions.
Following the partition of the Indian subcontinent in August 1947, which led to the creation of Pakistan and Bharat (India), both AIOE and EFI continued their operations in their respective countries. At that time, Pakistan’s economy was predominantly agrarian, with a nascent industrial sector. However, rapid industrialization soon followed, significantly boosting the sector’s contribution to GDP. The growth of the trade union movement further underscored the need for effective industrial relations regulation.
In response to these developments and the desire to unify employers under a single platform, a group of forward-thinking employers founded the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) in 1950. This organization was established to represent and protect the interests of employers in the newly formed nation.
Founded in 1950.
Though founded in 1950, EFP has a rich history that spans over a century. EFP was primarily established to represent and protect the interests of employers in the newly formed nation of Pakistan.
Our Founder Members
Have a look at our visionary founders—the driving force behind our mission, values, and success
Backed by Strong Management.
EFP is governed by a Board of Directors/Managing Committee, comprising twenty elected members who serve biennially, supported by specialized sub-committees.