Just Transition Help Desk - The Employers' Federation of Pakistan

Welcome to the EFP Just Transition Help Desk, your gateway to practical support on Just Transition.

Designed for businesses and SMEs, the Help Desk provides guidance, knowledge resources, self-assessment tools, and access to expert advice to help enterprises build resilience and improve sustainability.

How We Can Help?

Understand Just Transition and its business implications
Access practical tools, guides, and self-assessment resources
Receive technical guidance and referrals to experts
Stay informed on national policies, regulations, and global developments shaping the Just Transition agenda
Connect with partners and peer learning networks

Services

Just Transition Assessment Tool

Assess your organization’s readiness for a Just Transition across Decent Work and Environmental Sustainability. The tool identifies improvement opportunities and provides a baseline Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon footprint assessment to support your sustainability journey.

Awareness Sessions & Capacity Building

EFP offers awareness sessions and trainings on Just Transition, emerging sustainability requirements, national policies, regulatory developments, and global trends.

ESG & Sustainability Advisory

Access guidance on ESG, responsible business conduct, due diligence, and integration of decent work principlesthat support a fair and inclusive Just Transition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Just Transition, climate change, sustainability, labour standards, and responsible business practices. Our FAQs are designed to help businesses and SMEs better understand key concepts, regulatory developments, and the practical steps they can take towards a fair and sustainable transition.

Decent Work
GHG Toolkit

General QuestionsKey Principles & RightsLegal ComplianceImplementationOSH and Ongoing Support

1. What is Decent Work?

Decent Work refers to productive employment carried out in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity. It includes fair wages, safe working conditions, equal opportunities, social protection, and respect for workers’ rights.

2. Why is Decent Work important for SMEs?

Implementing decent work practices helps SMEs to:
– Improve productivity and employee morale
– Reduce absenteeism and staff turnover
– Meet buyer and customer requirements
– Comply with labour laws
– Reduce legal and reputational risks
– Enhance business sustainability

3. Is Decent Work only for large companies?

No. Decent Work principles apply to businesses of all sizes. SMEs can implement practical measures that suit their size, resources, and operations.

4. What are the main pillars of Decent Work?

The four pillars of Decent Work are:
– Employment opportunities
– Rights at work
– Social protection
– Social dialogue

5. What is a living wage?

A living wage is the income needed for a worker and their family to meet basic living costs. It is different from the statutory minimum wage, which is set by the government.

6. What is forced labour?

Forced labour is any work performed under threat, coercion, debt, or without a worker’s voluntary consent. Workers should always be free to leave employment according to legal and contractual requirements.

7. What is workplace discrimination?

Discrimination occurs when workers are treated unfairly because of characteristics such as gender, religion, disability, ethnicity, age, or other protected grounds. Employment decisions should be based on merit and job requirements.

8. Why is gender equality important?

Gender equality promotes equal access to employment, training, promotion, equal pay for equal work, and a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.

9. What is workplace harassment?

Harassment includes unwanted behaviour that intimidates, humiliates, or offends another person. It may be verbal, physical, psychological, or sexual.

10. What labour laws should SMEs comply with in Pakistan?

SMEs should comply with applicable federal and provincial labour laws, including regulations related to:
– Employment contracts
– Minimum wages
– Working hours
– Leave entitlements
– Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
– Social security and EOBI
– Child labour
– Industrial relations
* Requirements vary by province.

11. Do all workers need written employment contracts?

Yes. Providing written employment contracts helps both employers and workers understand their rights and responsibilities and reduces misunderstandings.

12. How can SMEs ensure fair recruitment?

SMEs should:
– Use transparent recruitment procedures.
– Avoid charging recruitment fees to workers.
– Verify workers’ age.
– Provide clear job descriptions.
– Issue written employment contracts before work begins.

13. How can an SME prevent child labour?

An SME should:
– Verify workers’ age before hiring.
– Maintain copies of identity documents.
– Train supervisors on child labour prevention.
– Take immediate corrective action if underage workers are identified.

14. What records should SMEs maintain?

Examples include:
– Employee records
– Attendance records
– Payroll records
– Leave records
– Training records
– Accident and incident reports
– Employment contracts
– Social security and EOBI records

15. Should SMEs establish a grievance mechanism?

Yes. Every SME should provide workers with a confidential and accessible process to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

16. Why is worker consultation important?

Consulting workers helps identify workplace issues, improves problem-solving, and strengthens trust between management and employees.

17. How do buyers assess Decent Work performance?

Buyers may review:
– Company policies
– Worker interviews
– Employment records
– Health and safety practices
– Wage and hour records
– Grievance mechanisms
– Corrective action plans

18. How can SMEs start implementing Decent Work?

A practical approach includes:
– Assess current practices.
– Identify gaps.
– Develop basic policies and procedures.
– Train managers and workers.
– Monitor implementation.
– Review and improve regularly.

19. How often should SMEs review their Decent Work practices?

An annual review is recommended, with additional reviews whenever there are changes in labour laws, buyer requirements, or business operations.

20. What is Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)?

OSH refers to policies and practices that protect workers from workplace injuries, illnesses, and unsafe working conditions.

21. What are the basic OSH requirements for SMEs?

SMEs should ensure:
– Safe machinery
– Emergency exits
– Fire safety equipment
– First aid facilities
– PPE where required
– Safety training
– Hazard identification and risk assessment

22. How often should safety training be conducted?

Safety training should be provided:
– During induction
– When job responsibilities change
– When new equipment is introduced
– Periodically through refresher training

23. Does implementing Decent Work increase business costs?

Some improvements require investment, but many actions—such as better communication, clear policies, accurate record-keeping, and worker engagement—have low costs and can improve productivity while reducing risks.

24. Where can SMEs obtain additional support?

SMEs can seek assistance from:
– Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP)
– Provincial Labour Departments
– International Labour Organization (ILO) programmes
– Industry associations
– Qualified labour law and sustainability professionals

Disclaimer: The FAQs are aligned with internationally recognized approaches for Decent Work while remaining practical and accessible for Pakistani SMEs.

General QuestionsUnderstanding Emission ScopesData CollectionCalculating EmissionsReporting

1. What are greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to climate change. The most common GHGs emitted by businesses are:
– Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
– Methane (CH₄)
– Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
– Refrigerant gases (HFCs)
Emissions are typically reported as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e)..

2. Why should SMEs measure their GHG emissions?

– Measuring GHG emissions helps SMEs:
– Meet customer and buyer requirements
– Identify opportunities to reduce energy costs
– Improve operational efficiency
– Prepare for future climate-related regulations
– Demonstrate commitment to sustainability
– Support access to international markets

3. Is GHG reporting mandatory in Pakistan?

Currently, mandatory GHG reporting depends on the applicable legal and regulatory requirements and the sector. However, many international buyers, financial institutions, and supply chains increasingly request emissions data from suppliers.

4. What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated directly and indirectly by an organization’s activities during a specific reporting period.

5. What does CO₂e mean?

CO₂e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent) is a standard unit that combines different greenhouse gases into a single measure based on their global warming potential.

6. What are Scope 1 emissions?

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company, such as:
– Diesel generators
– Company-owned vehicles
– Boilers
– Furnaces
– LPG or natural gas combustion
– Refrigerant leakage

7. What are Scope 2 emissions?

Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, or cooling consumed by the business.
For most SMEs in Pakistan, purchased electricity is the largest Scope 2 emission source.

8. What information is required to calculate GHG emissions?

Typical activity data include:
– Electricity consumption (kWh)
– Diesel consumption (litres)
– Petrol consumption (litres)
– Natural gas consumption (m³)
– LPG consumption (kg or litres)
– Refrigerant refilling records
– Vehicle fuel consumption
– Production volume (optional for intensity calculations).

9. Where can I find the required data?

Data may be available from:
– Utility bills
– Fuel purchase invoices
– Generator logs
– Vehicle fuel records
– Maintenance records
– Production reports
– Finance or procurement records

10. How often should GHG data be collected?

It is recommended to collect data monthly and prepare a complete GHG inventory annually.

11. How are GHG emissions calculated?

Emissions are generally calculated using the following formula:
GHG Emissions = Activity Data × Emission Factor
For example:
Electricity used × Electricity emission factor = CO₂e emissions

12. What is an emission factor?

An emission factor converts activity data (such as litres of diesel or kWh of electricity) into greenhouse gas emissions.

13. Which reporting standard should SMEs follow?

The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard is the most widely used international framework and is recommended for SMEs beginning their GHG journey.

14. How often should SMEs prepare a GHG inventory?

Most organizations prepare a GHG inventory once each year using a consistent reporting period.

15. What is emissions intensity?

Emissions intensity compares GHG emissions to a business activity, such as:
– tCO₂e per tonne of product
– tCO₂e per unit produced
– tCO₂e per employee
– tCO₂e per million PKR of revenue
Tracking intensity helps measure efficiency improvements over time.

16. What are the biggest sources of emissions in manufacturing SMEs?

– Typical sources include:
– Purchased electricity
– Diesel generators
– Natural gas or LPG used in boilers and production
– Company vehicles
– Refrigerant leakage
– Raw material transportation

Disclaimer: The FAQs are aligned with internationally recognized approaches such as the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard while remaining practical and accessible for Pakistani SMEs beginning their carbon management journey.

Need Help?

Contact Person: Syed Abaan – Project Coordinator
Email Us at ptajt@efp.org.pk or
Give us a call at +92-21-3243-9346

CONTACT PTA-JT