KARACHI: Labour leaders, civil society and human rights activists on Monday vehemently condemned the brutal killing of 11 innocent mine workers in Mach, Balochistan, by terrorists and demanded that the government intensify and ensure occupational safety of mineworkers at their workplaces across the country.

While issuing a joint statement over the matter, Karamat Ali, executive director of the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, Habibuddin Junaidi of the Peoples Labour Bureau, Liaquat Sahi of the Democratic Workers Union, State Bank of Pakistan, Nasir Mansoor of the National Trade Union Federation, Mahnaz Rahman of the Aurat Foundation, Farhat Parween of the National Organisation of Working Communities, Zehra Khan of the Home-based Women Workers Federation, Asad Iqbal Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Saeed Baloch of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum and others demanded foolproof security for the Hazara community in Balochistan.

“Hazaras of Balochistan have been on target of terrorists for many years and many people of this community have lost [their] lives in a number of terrorist acts of bomb blasts, firing and targeted killings,” they said.

They added that the families of the deceased mineworkers be provided compensation according to labour laws and international standards. “This amount should not be less than Rs1.5 million,” the statement added.

Demand adequate compensation for victims’ families, arrest of terrorists

The labour and civil society leaders expressed serious concern over the deteriorating law and order conditions in Balochistan and the non-availability of proper security at coal mines. Incidents of kidnapping and torture of mine workers are reported in local media and deadly accidents are occurring all the time there.

“The main reason for this insecurity of workers is running of the coal mines by petty contractors, who don’t consider themselves responsible for the provision of occupational safety and health of the workers. The provincial labour department has also failed to ensure the safety of the miners,” the statement said.

The labour leaders regretted that the law enforcement agencies had failed to protect the lives of mine workers and it is an utter failure of the police, levies, FC and other law enforcement agencies, which are responsible for the maintenance of law and order in Balochistan. They asked that the heads of security agencies, who failed to protect lives of workers, be made accountable.

They also demanded the arrest of the terrorists and strict action against their operators. “Speedy trial of the terrorists belonging to Daesh and Al-Qaeda be conducted after their arrest in order to provide justice to the affected families,” they demanded.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2021