Research Publications
Research at PILER is a broad function aimed at producing materials for training, educating and mobilizing , not only the unacquainted masses about their basic labour rights, but also to draw the attention of policy makers towards complex policy issues. Its range of publications is quite extensive …from research papers, news letters, reports and articles to pamphlets, monographs and proposals for the government… it attempts to disseminate information using the most appropriate form of publication for a specific theme.

Materials such as policy notes, advocacy campaign notes and discussion papers are produced for reflection and debate in the academic-activists’ circle. For purpose of dissemination, relevant material is also distributed at national, regional and international workshops, seminars and conferences.

To be more specific, the research activities are geared towards meeting the three broad objectives:

a) Contribute to workers’ education and mobilization;
b) Facilitate advocacy campaigns on labour and social rights;
c) Generate funds through consulting and sponsored research on labour-related issues.

The research team keeps itself abreast of the happenings at the state, judiciary and popular levels vis-à-vis labour issues and legislation, helps PILER connect to local struggles in a meaningful way, and creates awareness on labour issues through writing for local/national media on a regular basis. The group also facilitates PILER’s role in mobilizing civil society’s effective participation and connectivity with the global movement.
In the past, the team developed advocacy campaign material on the anti-labour Industrial Relations Ordinance of 2002 and facilitated consultations and seminars on several emerging issues adversely impacting the common people, such as minimum wage, government’s move to bring (negative) changes in to Local Government Ordinance and the policies of World Bank/Asian Development Bank.

Titles of PILER Research Publications
The list of PILER’s major publications and reports are as follows:
• Labour, Debt and Bondage in Brick Kilns
• Road Transport Workers in Pakistan -2006 -by Zeenat Hisam
• Denial and Discrimination: Labour Rights in Pakistan 2007 by Zeenat Hisam
• Child Labour in Hazardous Industries: A PILER Study, 1999.
• Trade Union, Democracy & Development in Pakistan- 1996.
• State Violation of Livelihood Rights: Imprisonment of India and Pakistani Fisherman-2007.
• Contribution of Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) services to poverty alleviation.
• Status of Decent Work and Minimum wage in textile, garments, dyeing & bleaching and light engineering sectors.
• Social security among workers in the garments, fisheries, and light engineering sectors.
• Study on Labour Judiciary Reforms.
• Campaign Material Development.
• World Social Forum: Another World is Possible (in Urdu and Sindhi)
• Labour Policy 2002 (Sindhi)
• Labour Rights and Government Plans: Review and Recommendations (Urdu)
• ILO Core Labour Standards (Sindhi)
• Trade Unions and Human Rights in Pakistan (Sindhi)
• Globalisation and Labour (Urdu)
• Citizen-Community Board: Principles, Rules and Procedure (Urdu)
• Industrial Relations and Labour Rights in Pakistan
• Narrow Visions & Grim Outcomes: Aid from Tokyo to Islamabad via Washington and Manila—Who decides what happens to whom in Pakistan?

Annual Reports
• PILER Annual Report 2002
• A PILER Profile 1982-2002
• PILER Annual Report 2004
• PILER Annual Report 2005

Discussion Papers
1. Discussion Paper No, 1: The Social Impact of East Asian crises and lessons for Pakistan by Dr. Asad Sayeed, 1999.
2. Discussion paper No, 2: Beyond Safety Nets: Provision of Comprehensive Social Security in Pakistan by Dr. Asad Sayeed and Farhan Sami Khan, 2000.
3. Discussion Paper No, 3: Labour Market policies and Institution: A Framework for Social Dialogue by Dr Asad Sayeed and Karamat Ali.
4. Discussion Paper No, 4: Subcontracted Women Workers in the World Economy: The case of Pakistan by Dr Asad Sayeed and Saba Gul Khattak 2000.
5. Women’s work and Empowerment: Issues in an Era of Economic Liberalization: A case study of Pakistan urban Manufacturing sector- edited by Asad Sayeed & Saba Gul Khattak, 2001.

Working Papers
6. Working Paper no. 1 Structural Adjustment and its impact on Women by Asad Sayeed
7. Working Paper no.2 Income Patterns and Contractual Arrangements of Women Workers in Pakistan’s Urban Manufacturing Sector by Asad Sayeed and Sohail Javed.
8. Working Paper no.3 Household Characteristic, Poverty and Indebtedness among Women Workers in Urban Pakistan by Asad Sayeed and Sohail Javed.
9. Working Paper no.4 Women, work and Empowerment by Saba Gul Khattak
10. Pakistan Public Debt: A Profile Completed - by Series No: 1998 May by Iffat Ara.
11. International Trade and Pakistan Economic Profile- Series No. 2 by Iffat Ara & Farhan Sami Khan, October 1999.