PHC orders body for welfare of miners

In a move to address the longstanding grievances of mine workers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has ordered the constitution of a dedicated committee under the supervision of the Secretary Mines and Minerals.

The committee is tasked with reviewing the welfare, registration, and other related matters concerning laborers in the mining sector.

A divisional bench comprising Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah and Justice Muhammad Ijaz Khan issued the written order in this regard. The court directed the Chief Secretary to issue the notification for the committee's formation within seven days. The bench has also summoned detailed reports from relevant parties at the next hearing.

The petition was filed by Umar Zeb Mashwani, President of the All K-P Labour Association Peshawar, who works as a laborer in a mining company. Advocate Ishaq Ali Qazi represented the petitioner during the hearing. Additional Advocate General Numanul Haq Kakakhel, along with representatives from the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), Assistant Commissioner Peshawar, and other officials appeared before the court.

The petitioner highlighted that mine workers in the province face numerous challenges and are often deprived of their basic rights. The court, taking note of the gravity of the issue, summoned officials including the Secretary Law, Director General Mines and Minerals, Commissioner Mines, and other departmental representatives.

During the proceedings, the Commissioner Mines presented a copy of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Excise Duty on Minerals (Labour Welfare) Act, 2021, and briefed the court on measures for the welfare of approximately 28,000 registered mine workers. He informed the bench that in cases of disability, workers receive Rs600,000, while heirs receive Rs1.2 million in the event of death. However, under the current legal framework, no provisions exist for insurance or pensions.

The court observed that the existing benefits fall short of meeting the workers' needs. It emphasized the necessity for an effective mechanism, including regular insurance, pensions, health facilities, marriage grants for workers' children, educational scholarships, and other support measures. The bench noted that mining laborers face various hazards and deserve comprehensive protections.

The court directed all stakeholders to collaborate in devising a strategy to resolve these issues and submit a detailed report within 60 days. Reports from the Secretary Law indicated that some health facilities, scholarships, and marriage grants are already provided, but EOBI should register these workers and extend monthly pensions. EOBI reported limited resources for collecting data on all workers, with only about 300 currently registered, while the Labour Association estimates around 150,000 individuals are linked to the sector.

The Mines and Minerals Department was instructed to conduct field visits and issue notices to mine owners for providing worker data to facilitate registration.

The court further observed that compensation amounts are inadequate amid rising inflation. It highlighted the lack of safety measures in some facilities, exposure to chemical and biochemical hazards, and the need for mine owners to implement protective protocols.