A report, titled "The State of Peasants' Rights in Sindh in 2022," recently launched by the Hari Welfare Association (HWA), sheds light on the grim situation faced by peasants and rural workers in the province of Sindh, Pakistan.
During the local government elections held in June and July 2022, peasants and rural workers were entirely overlooked and not included in the party-based electoral process in Sindh, these and many other facts were pointed out by the speakers at the launching ceremony of the report at the HWA office Nawabshah.
This report underscores the indifference of the government towards addressing the concerns of these marginalized communities. In 2022, peasants and rural labourers in Sindh continued to suffer, with little to no positive initiatives taken to improve their situation.
The report evaluates the legislative, policy, and administrative frameworks in place and highlights the challenges faced by these groups.
Notably, the government of Sindh failed to withdraw its petition against a crucial verdict by the Sindh High Court from 2019, further complicating matters.
The report emphasizes the need for the enforcement of existing laws, such as the Sindh Tenancy Act 1950 and the Sindh Bonded Labour (Abolition) System Act 2015, but the government has not allocated resources for their implementation.
The allocated budget for the agriculture sector was deemed insufficient, leaving small-scale peasants without promised subsidies. The Sindh Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy introduced after heavy rains and floods in 2022 failed to adequately address the needs of peasants, particularly the landless and vulnerable.
Social protection measures for peasants and rural workers were notably absent. The devastating impact of the rains and floods continued to affect farmers and laborers in the following year due to the lack of compensation for their losses.
Senior journalists and activists at the report launch stressed the urgent need for global attention to the dire circumstances of these marginalized individuals. Influence from landlords and individuals connected to agriculture hindered legislative measures in favor of peasants and rural workers in 2022.
The report also highlights the prevalence of bonded labor in the agriculture sector and the need for comprehensive development in affected regions, especially Umerkot.
The report includes recommendations for the Government of Sindh and civil society organizations to address the rights and well-being of peasants and rural workers, aiming to guide stakeholders in their efforts to uphold these fundamental rights.
It further highlights the numerous protests by peasants in 2022, reflecting their widespread discontent. In conclusion, the report paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by peasants and rural workers in Sindh, urging action and attention from the government and civil society to improve their conditions and protect their rights.
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