Opposition to table bill on workers’ safety in Balochistan

Other provinces have adopted legislations over Mines Act, 1923 following 18th Amendment, PWF Coordinator

QUETTA: Lamenting working conditions at provincial mines, two members of the Balochistan Assembly have said the opposition would table a bill on workers’ safety after incorporating recommendations of the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF).

Nasrullah Khan Zeeray of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Ahmed Nawaz Bangulzai of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) said this during a debate on Mines Act, 1923 organised by the PWF on Saturday.

At the debate, a panel including the MPAs discussed workers’ safety and precautionary measures for labourers working in Balochistan. The PWF National Coordinator Shaukat Ali Anjum and officials – Mama Salam and Abdul Kareem – were also part of the huddle.

Programme Officer Asad Mehmmod presented a comprehensive briefing on Mines Act, 1923 on the occasion. Highlighting the need for security of mine labourers, National Coordinator Anjum said workers’ registration and safety have become imperative in view of mining incidents in Balochistan.

“Other provinces have adopted legislations over Mines Act, 1923 following 18th Constitutional Amendment. But Balochistan is yet to discuss the issue on floor of the house,” said Anjum.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2019.