Miners’ safety

The state of coalminers’ safety in the country leaves much to be desired. According to the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation (PCMLF), in 2019, as many as 120 miners were killed in Balochistan; in 2018, the number of miners killed was 164, and this year so far 16 miners have lost their lives in mining-related incidents. On Friday, the PCMLF organised a protest demonstration in Quetta against rising accidents in coalmines, lack of safety arrangements for mine workers and a recent incident in Duki. Speaking at the protest, the leader of mine workers said mining was a very difficult job as miners had to work thousands of feet underground. Due to the lack of proper safety arrangements, miners are unsure whether they would come out of the mine alive or the end would come inside the mine.

Leaders accused mine owners and management of ignoring miners’ safety, and also demanded proper training for mine workers. Through a resolution adopted at the demonstration several demands were put forward. They included that all mine workers should be registered with the Employees Old-age Benefits Institution, a survey of working conditions for coal miners in Pakistan be carried out without delay, judicial inquiry into deaths and injuries caused by accidents related to mines and immediate implementation of ILO Conventions 176 in mines. The resolution demanded that those found responsible for negligence should be dealt with properly; mines where fatal incidents happen be sealed immediately; and laws pertaining to miners’ safety be strictly implemented. Labour leaders claimed that mostly there was belated response from management when accidents took place and also when they were cautioned about danger signs inside mines or in their surroundings.

Most accidental deaths and injuries inside mines can be avoided by putting in place proper safety measures. Mining is a dangerous profession. These words owners use to explain accidents, and miners too use them to prepare for all kinds of eventualities while entering mines. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2020.

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