Working condition of colliers ‘violation of human rights’

HRCP urges state to bring compensation amount for death in Balochistan at par with other provinces

QUETTA:

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed grave concern over the safety of colliers in Balochistan, saying the condition in which they work is a violation of human rights.

“At least 176 miners were killed and 180 injured in mining accidents in 2021,” HRCP veteran member Husain Naqi said while quoting the data of Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation during a news conference on Friday.

Naqi said the HRCP fact-finding mission is gravely concerned to find that coalminers in Balochistan remain vulnerable to severe human rights violations, adding that they face the additional risk of targeted attacks by non-state actors.

“Given that coal mining is classified internationally as a hazardous occupation, mine owners and contractors must ensure that every mining site has a functioning ambulance service and onsite emergency health worker, and that regular internal safety inspections are carried out,” he stressed.

“With respect to external safety inspections, the fact that only 27 mine inspectors are available to oversee health and safety in over 6,000 mines in the province is also cause for concern.”

The mission’s findings, he said, reveal that the majority of coalminers were not registered with the Employees’ Old-age Benefits Institution or other social security programmes, adding that this implies that they “are not eligible for employment benefits or pensions, leaving them highly vulnerable once they are no longer able to work”.

He said there are also concerns that the compensation for death and injury is lower in Balochistan (Rs300,000 per person) than in other provinces (Rs500,000) — “this must be rectified promptly”.

According to an HRCP report, many labour union representatives also say they are deeply unhappy with the contractor system of operating coal mines because contractors have less stake in ensuring the safety and security of their workers and resort to cost-cutting measures.

It is also a matter of concern that, in many cases, contractors themselves function as the heads of labour unions, which represents a potential conflict of interest, it stated.

HRCP recommended that the government upgrade the status of the coal mining sector to an industry and hold mine owners as well as contractors accountable for running their sites in line with the provisions of the Mines Act 1923 and subsequent amendments.

It said that the government must also ratify and implement ILO Convention 176 on safety and health in mines as soon as possible.

The HRCP urged the state to invest in health, education and infrastructure in and around coal mining areas specifically and across the province in general.

The HRCP team comprising of Husain Naqi, Balochistan chapter Vice President Habib Tahir, and other office bearers Maheen Pracha, Sadia Baloch, and Abdul Ahad Agha said that the mission’s detailed report would be released soon.