KARACHI, March 15: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that an important objective of economic development and expansion in industrial activities is to provide facilities to common man, improve the conditions for workers and increase opportunities for employment.
He was presiding over a meeting at the Governor’s House which discussed the steps taken for welfare of workers and provision of facilities for them.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Minister for Labour and Industries Mohammed Adil Siddiqi, Advisor on Finance M A Jalil, Secretary of Industries Nasar Hayat, Secretary of Cooperation Mumtazul Hasan and other officials.
Adil Siddiqi and secretary of industries apprised the governor about the ongoing steps and future plans.
The governor made it clear that besides investment-friendly environment and provision of conducive environment to investors, emphasis is also being laid on worker’s rights and providing them better working conditions.
He said employers and employees are synonymous to each other and two wheels of industrial development.
Appreciating the measures taken for workers’ welfare by the provincial department, the governor noted that under the leadership of Adil Siddiqi, an exemplary progress had been achieved in his departments during the last three years.
The governor stressed on enhancing employment opportunities by providing them facilities for self-employment and promoting cottage industries.
In this regard, he issued directives for making technical and vocational training centres more functional and starting short duration training programmes along with long-term courses.
He said this would help increase number of skilled people who would be able to get better opportunities of employment abroad.
He called for introducing more shifts in these centres and incorporating training of historical and cultural craftsmanship of various areas.
Dr Ibad called for making the Mines Labour Welfare Organization an autonomous body and also considering a proposal for outsourcing mines boiler testing.
He appreciated the relief provided to workers and their families in respect of medical treatment, education, marriages and other purposes.
He noted with delight that the work done during the last three years had been far better than the overall performance of the past years. He stressed on further strengthening the continuity of these facilities and the measures taken.
Labour Minister Adil Siddiqi informed that the department had spent Rs3 million on bone-marrow treatment of two children of workers while one child was provided treatment abroad.
He said work is going on various health projects worth millions of rupees, including establishment of a medical college for workers’ children and a kidney centre.
The secretary of labour highlighted the performance of SESSI, Sindh Workers’ Welfare Board, Directorate of Manpower and Training, Minimum Wages Board, Mines Labour Welfare Organization and other concerned departments, as well as future plans.
He also informed about steps taken to check bonded and child labour and said the conditions are being properly regulated.
It was informed that medical facilities were being provided to workers through SESSI’s four hospitals, five medical centres and 39 dispensaries and the organisation was spending 70 per cent of its budget on this count.
These medical outlets are manned by specialists and doctors of high calibre while better quality medicines are also provided.
The meeting was told that till January 2005-06, an amount of Rs 345 million had been spent on medical facilities while Rs 365 million were spent during 2002-03.—APP
