KARACHI: Representatives of trade unions, labour supporting organisation, government’s labour and mineral departments and ILO representatives and experts of health and safety were unanimous in their views that mine workers in Pakistan are working.

in very dangerous conditions as there are inadequate occupational health and safety measures at mines, mostly located in Balochistan and Sindh.

They were speaking at a seminar “Status of occupational health and safety in the mineral mines sector”, jointly organized by National Labour Council and Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) at PILER Centre here on Saturday.

“Workers have to face inhuman conditions, where they work as bonded labour, they are not allowed to join trade unions and they are barred from contacting to their families,” said Mr. Ayoub Baloch a former Secretary of Labour, government of Balochistan. A large number of workers come from Swat because mining is a hard work and there are meager employment opportunities in their areas.

He traced back the history of mines and said it can be found in centuries old Mehar Garh civilization, where nomads were protecting the mineral resources. But when mining started they were forced to leave the place, which created bitterness among the nomads. The rulers allotted the mines to their favorite thus an alternative leadership was created.

In Balochistan, he said miners are not considered as workers and employed through contractors, therefore workers cannot avail the social security benefits.

ILO Country Director said that mining is an important sector and there is an impression that ILO do not work for mine workers, which is incorrect. “We know mining is a very dangerous sector besides fishing and construction sectors,” she said.

From time to time accidents in mines are reported in media. She pointed out that there are many problems in mines like high temperature, noise of machines etc. and workers have to face them.

Secretary, Department of Labour and Human Resources, Government of Sindh Abdul Rasheed Solangi said that a new law regarding occupational health and safety bill has been drafted and tabled in Sindh Assembly, which would hopefully be passed during the current session. He said Sindh has a credit to have passed the largest number of labour laws in Pakistan after 18^th Amendment.

Regarding measures for welfare of mines workers, he said a New Mining Labour Welfare Board would be constituted very soon, which would have true representations both from employers and employees, he added.

Mr. Solangi said that recently the provincial government has set up two medical dispensaries at Lakhra and Khairpur. A labour colony is planned to be established at Lakhra he added. He assured that the provincial government would solve all genuine problems of the workers.

Convener of National Labour Council Abdul Latif Nizamani expressed concern over delay holding the provincial tripartite labour conference and hoped that it would soon be held.

Speaking on the occasion Sultan Ahmed Khan, President Labour Federation of Pakistan said that instead of decreasing, the accidents in coal mines are increasing because the workers are weaker and the government is not serious in protection of workers.

Recently, he mentioned many accidents had happened in coal mines of Balochistan because adequate occupational health and safety facilities are not available at the mines. The owners and contractors are responsible for provision of the facilities at the work place, but there is no accountability of them. Even the contractors are not registered with the government, he added.

Sultan Khan demanded that all workers should be registered with the social security department. “We need to launch a country-wide campaign for protection and rights of mines workers.”

Qamoos Gul Khattak, General Secretary of Muttahida Labour Fedeation (MLF) said that coal mines in Balochistan are more dangerous than coal mines in Sindh because the gas present in the Balochistan coal mines is more explosive than Sindh, he added.

Khattak said that lease for mines are allotted to politically influential people in Pakistan, who do not accept and follow the laws concerned the labour and health and safety. He underlined the need that if effective trade unions are established the problems of workers can be solved.

Mushtaq Lashari, who is member of UK’s Labour Party said he also worked for trade unions of miners England but now mines have now closed down in the first world.

Representing employers Nazim F. Haji said that government’s department can play an important role in improvement of working conditions in mines. He advises to evolve a mechanism in which issues are communicated effectively. He offered his services for playing role in seeking support from employers.

Convener of National Labour Council Abdul Latif Nizamani said that provincial government will soon host tripartite labour conference, which is already delayed.

Chief Mining Inspector of Mines Department, Government of Sindh Syed Irshad Ahmed said that mines workers have no voice as mines are locate in far flung areas. Their working conditions are difficult, he added.

He said Mine Labour Act 1923 still enforced in Sindh. “We have modified this law and sent to Law Department for vetting and would be sent to provincial cabinet and then to Sindh Assembly for passage.”

He informed that FWO has recently acquired a lease to mine granite, which is estimated to be worth around 3 million dollars, he added. He said under the CPEC, Chinese companies are also coming to explore mineral in Pakistan.

Ms. Zulekha Zar, a former Director of National Institute of Labour Administration and Training (NILAT) said most of deaths occur in China, where 13 miners die every day.

She explained the causes of accidents in mines which include methane and consecutive coal dust explosion and blasting related accidents.

Dr. Asad Jamal, a health and safety expert said working conditions in our industries are dangers to the health of workers. Mental, physical and social well being of workers is the health and safety, he added