KARACHI: Trade unionists, human rights and labour rights activists have expressed serious concerns over the increase in accidents at factories and mines in Sindh “due to a lack of occupational safety and health measures”.

During the last few days, three workers lost their lives in a fire incident at a factory in SITE area in Karachi. Four mine workers also died in Jhimpir due to the mine collapsing.

Karamat Ali of the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, Habibuddin Junaidi of Peoples’ Labour Bureau, Nasir Mansoor of National Trade Union Federation Pakistan, Liaquat Sahi of Democratic Workers Federation-State Bank of Pakistan, Farhat Parveen of NOW Communities, Saeed Baloch of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Mahnaz Rahman of Aurat Foundation and Asad Iqbal Butt of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolence with the bereaved families. They also asked the Sindh government to ensure safety of workers.

They said that the increasing fatal incidents in factories and workplaces were an indication of absence of effective Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) facilities and labour inspections.

They observed that no meeting of the council is ever held. The statement added that the Sindh government should activate the council and take practical measures to ensure safety of the workers.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2021