Labour body demands more steps for workers’ safety

UN and ILO reports depict Pakistan among the most dangerous countries for workers

LAHORE: The All-Pakistan Workers Confederation (APWC) has asked the federal and the provincial governments to take immediate steps in ensuring safe working conditions for workers in transport, mines, chemical, construction, textile and power sectors.

Addressing a meeting on Wednesday, APWC General Secretary Khurshid Ahmed highlighted that various reports of the United Nations (UN) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) have declared Pakistan among the most dangerous countries for workers. Transport and coal mine workers are at great risk as the highest number of accident in the world report in these two sectors in Pakistan.

To save workers from tragic fatal and non-fatal accidents and occupational diseases, he underlined, the government should take immediate steps. He cited various examples of various accidents, including recent accidents in Dera Ghazi Khan, Mach and coal mine accidents in Balochistan in which several innocent passengers and workers lost their lives.

He said prices of all essential commodities have been skyrocketed in the country and the government should take immediate steps to control the inflation.

He also demanded of the authorities to impose taxes on influential and elite and subsidise essential commodities for common citizens who are facing difficulties to make both ends meet.

The veteran labour leader also said parliamentarian should set a new example by surrendering their salaries to reduce the burden on the national exchequer. They should draw Rs1 salary like the founder of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The meeting was also addressed by APWC Additional Secretary Akbar Ali Khan, Secretary Osama Tariq, Pakistan Railways workers’ union leader Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar, National Bank of Pakistan employees’ union leader Salahuddin Ayubi and other representatives.