The Directorate General of Labour (DGL), Sindh is the principal government body dedicated to safeguarding labour rights, improving working conditions, and regulating industrial relations across the province. Operating under the Rules of Business, 1986, DGL ensures the effective implementation of labour laws in Sindh, protecting both workers and employers through balanced oversight and proactive engagement.

Our work begins with registration of establishments including factories, shops, and commercial entities as well as home-based and agricultural workers. We also oversee the registration and regulation of trade unions, federations, and confederations, while managing the democratic election of Collective Bargaining Agents (CBAs) to ensure fair representation in the workplace.

A core part of our mandate is the resolution of labour disputes. Whether it’s unpaid wages, unfair dismissals, or workplace safety concerns, DGL provides legal and administrative support through a structured conciliation mechanism. Our teams also adjudicate claims involving gratuity, bonuses, provident funds, group insurance, and compensation for injury or death.

Ensuring occupational safety and health (OSH) is another top priority. Our dedicated OSH Centres conduct regular inspections, offer training, and provide advisory services to employers, workers, and union representatives. These efforts help build safer, healthier workplaces across Sindh.

Beyond enforcement, DGL serves as a key source of labour market data, compiling accurate statistics on registered establishments, trade unions, industrial disputes, and employment trends. This information helps inform policy and supports evidence-based decision-making.

Current Projects and Key Initiatives

DGL is actively working on several important initiatives aimed at reforming and strengthening labour systems in Sindh:

• Sindh Child Labour Survey (in partnership with UNICEF and Sindh Bureau of Statistics)
• Codification of Labour Laws to simplify and modernise the legal framework, with support from the ILO
• Labour Inspection Management System (LIMS) to digitise and streamline labour inspections
• Capacity building in the agriculture sector to promote fundamental principles and rights at work, supported by the ILO
• OSH awareness and training programmes in collaboration with GIZ – German Corporation for International Cooperation

With these initiatives, DGL is setting the foundation for a more equitable and inclusive labour environment in Sindh, where workers’ rights are protected, disputes are resolved fairly, and workplaces are compliant, safe, and productive.