Plight of mine workers
In the absence of firm statistics, it is difficult to nail down figures relating to deaths and injuries suffered by coal mine workers in the country. However, the hazardous conditions they extract coal in deep inside the bowels of earth indicate the kind and level of risk they face. However, in 45 documented incidents, 318 workers have been killed in Pakistan between 2008 and 2018. Mine workers and all those familiar with the tough working conditions in the mining sector ascribe the abysmal situation to the lack of proper safety and health measures to protect workers’ life inside and outside mines.
Inside a majority of mines, there is no proper warning equipment to caution workers to leave the mine in the event of a gas leak or flooding. Workers have to cut coal in constricted spaces mostly in doubled-own shape, there is no arrangement for drinking water. They have to work in near-total darkness as they only have the light fixed on their helmets. They have to communicate with one another and with their supervisor in sign language. Their wages are low. Since many workers have no entry in the attendance register, some of them work for very low wages. Mine workers are not covered by health insurance; mostly, they get insufficient compensation in case of death and injury. Under the law, it is mandatory to have one doctor and an ambulance always present outside each mine. There is nothing of the sort. Dispensaries and hospitals are non-existent for miles around mines. Mine workers suffer from lung disease, spinal injuries and other illnesses. They cannot afford treatment of such serious diseases on their own.
Experts, at a recent event held at Karachi Press Club, expressed concern that most of the workers’ issues are lingering on as Pakistan has not ratified the ILO Convention 176, which was adopted by the world body 27 years ago. Ratification of the document seeks to set a common standard of labour laws for the ratifying states. The mine owners’ lobby is said to be preventing the government’s nod to the convention.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.