ON Nov 1 last a tragic incident at the Gadani port shook us all. A huge blast in a ship resulted in the loss of precious lives and revealed a pathetic state of emergency services. There was no competent authority to explain the lack of safety measures.

The national commission took a serious note of the violations of labour rights which are part of its mandate. A comprehensive report was prepared by the Sindh office of the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR).

Later an NCHR delegation, led by its chairman, visited Gadani and met the deputy commissioner and other relevant officials, representatives of labour, shipbreaking association and affected families.

The NCHR stressed the need for proper safety measures, enforcement of labour laws and proper authority to manage the affairs of the port. We were informed that the Balochistan government had decided to form a Gaddani Port Authority.

Until now this Gaddani Port authority has not been formalised. Is the government waiting for another eventuality to occur to form it? Lives of poor workers are at stake.

Anis Haroon

NCHR member

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2017