ISLAMABAD: Campaign for the ratification of the Convention of International Labour Organisation (ILO) to ensure safety and social security of mine workers in Pakistan has been intensified.

ILO Convention No. 176 aimed at ensuring workplace safety and social security coverage for mine workers have so far been signed by 34 countries, however Pakistan was yet to sign the convention, ILO said in a press release on Saturday.

Mines in Pakistan employ around 300,000 workers and contribute significantly to the GDP. Accidents and injuries are reported every year with workers at mining sites often not provided with appropriate skills training to execute the work.

They were also unaware of potential work hazards, ILO said.

Supported by ILO, the All Pakistan Labour Federation and Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation held a consultative meeting in Quetta, advocating a comprehensive strategy for safe mining in Pakistan.

Representatives of government departments, workers and employers’ organisations examined ways to promote occupational safety and health in mines, while participants agreed to intensify the campaign for the ratification of the ILO convention.

“The ratification of Convention 176 is central to achieving decent work in a sector that is particularly prone to accidents and injuries. It is an essential tool for resolving the challenge of occupational safety and health in Pakistan’s mining industry,” ILO Country Director for Pakistan, Geir Tonstol said.

He further recalled that a significant proportion of workers in Pakistan’s mining sector, especially casual labourers, were not able to access social protection, as they were not recognised as mine employees.

Mr Tonstol said that he was encouraged by the initiative of ILO’s social partners to establish a trade union platform of action on occupation safety and health (OHS) in mines in Balochistan.

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a critical area of systemic work deficits in Pakistan, in both the formal and informal economy. Many sectors — including manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture and fishing — faced significant challenges in terms of OSH risks and hazards.

According to ILO reports, 2.2m people die every year from work-related accidents or illness. While occupational accidents decreased from 4.3 per cent of workers per year to 2.7pc in 2021 in Pakistan, on average every 37th worker experienced an occupational accident or injury each year, ILO said.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2023