Sindh cabinet approves multiple laws

Approved laws include the Sindh Occupational Safety and Health Bill drafted two years ago

KARACHI: Two years after it was drafted, the Sindh cabinet has finally approved the Sindh Occupational Safety and Health Bill, which had not been presented before the cabinet earlier due to unknown reasons.

The approval came during a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at CM House on Thursday.

The bill, which was drafted in 2015, was presented before the cabinet by the labour department. The department asked the cabinet to approve the bill as the Sindh government has signed a Joint Action Plan (JAP) for promoting workplace safety and health. The employer federation and the International Labour Organisation, Islamabad are the co-signatories of the JAP.

The CM reproached the labour department for taking two years to present the bill for the cabinet's approval. In principal, it should have been legislated just after the Baldia factory incident in which 259 workers were roasted alive, Shah said. "However, I would request the cabinet to approve it because it is a most important law."



Under the proposed law, the government will be required to establish three bodies for an enhanced occupational safety and health management system, an efficient labour inspection mechanism, and a compensation system for accidents and injuries that occur at the workplaces. The cabinet approved the proposed law, which in the next step, will be presented before the assembly.

The information department presented the Sindh Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Act, 2017 before the cabinet. The department claimed that there was a need to legislate law regarding press as after the abolition of the concurrent list in the Constitution, matters relating to press stood devolved to the provinces.

The proposed law will govern the functioning of the Audit Bureau of Circulation, fixation of rates for the newspapers, formulation of media list and mechanism for the change of name and title. After discussing the draft, the cabinet approved it to be presented before the assembly.

The livestock department presented the Sindh Livestock Registration and Trade Authority Bill, 2017 and the Sindh Institute of Animal Health Bill, 2017. Pleading its case, the department said there was no framework in the province for livestock registration, tagging and identification, and the bill had been drafted to address that issue.



Through the Sindh Institute of Animal Bill, the department suggested to upgrade the existing Sindh Poultry Vaccine Centre, Karachi. The cabinet discussed both the draft bills presented by the livestock department and approved them.

The forest department requested the cabinet for grant of permission for exploration and production of oil and gas in Thar Wildlife Sanctuary. The cabinet approved the request but directed the forest department to take necessary measures for the protection of wildlife while doing so.

The health department presented the draft for the establishment of the Sindh Institute of Traumatology, Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation (SITOR) Act, 2017. In a presentation given by the health department, the cabinet was informed that the establishment of the SITOR was necessary for dealing with the increasing number of road accidents. The institute would provide state-of-the-art treatment to the injured and help them overcome trauma under one roof, the cabinet was informed.

It was proposed that the already-established trauma centre be strengthened instead of establishing another institute. On this the cabinet was informed that the new institute would also be a degree-awarding institute. The cabinet approved the draft law.



The health department also gave a briefing on the draft bill Promulgation of Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion Act, 2017. Health Secretary Dr Fazlullah Pechuho said the proposed act would regulate blood transfusion and blood banking system in the province. The law was approved by the cabinet.

The education department presented a case for approval of non-formal education policy based on four principles. However, the CM directed the department to discuss it once again with the experts and educationists and then present it again to the cabinet.

Shah told the cabinet that the party leadership had directed him to revisit the recently enacted accountability law which had deprived the National Accountability Bureau of its powers to act against Sindh government. The cabinet members proposed a committee comprising Senior Minister Nisar Khuhro, Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, the information minister, culture minister and Advocate-General Zamir Ghumro to review the law. The CM approved the formation of committee which would give its recommendation within 60 days.