KARACHI: The Sindh government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Labour Organisation under which families affected in the massive fire that engulfed Baldia Town factory in 2012 would be compensated for their loss. The MoU was signed at a ceremony here by Minister for Labour, Transport, and Information Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, on behalf of the provincial government, and ILO country director for Pakistan AnGrid Kristen, representing the INGO. Speaking on the occasion, Syed Nasir Shah said that the provincial government had already compensated 260 victims, with an amount of Rs.1 billion. “The amount was paid in time to the affected personnel to compensate them for their loss.” Now, he said, as an outcome of efforts undertaken by the Pakistan Institute for Labour Education and Research (PILER) and the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), the German Company KIK for whom Baldia Town factory was manufacturing clothes had paid US$5.15 million for affected families. The PILER and the NTUF had jointly moved the ILO for the purpose and reached an agreement with ILO to get compensation from the German company. After hectic efforts, the talks yielded in the company agreeing to pay the sum, which was handed over to the ILO to be deposited in the SESSI account for disbursement. Each of the affected family would, as per SESSI law, receive Rs.22,500 family pension. ILO country director AnGrid Kristen thanked the provincial government and partners – PILER and NTUF – and assured them of ILO’s all out support for the welfare of labourers. Karamat Ali of PILER, Nasir Mansoor of the NTUF and the labour secretary, Abdul Rasheed Solangi, also briefed the gathering on the compensation mechanisms at ILO, and the method of disbursement of funds to the 260 affected families. Earlier, the ILO country director and the labour secretary signed the MoU. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Labour, was also present. Later, Nasir Hussain Shah, while talking the media, answered questions about those found involved in the accident that had led to 260 deaths. He assured the media that the culprits would face action for their crime in accordance with the law and that no leniency would be shown to them. “We are trying to get the trial concluded in a speedy manner. No one found responsible for the fire would be spared at any cost. Those who had fled the country would be brought back with help from the Interpol. The Government of Sindh has already disbursed Rs.1 billion to 260 victims of the Baldia incident. With funds arranged by the ILO, we will extend additional support and compensation to the victims.” The labour minister further said, “PPP has always taken practical steps for the welfare and well being of common people, especially workers. We don’t believe in empty sloganeering. We believe in fulfillment of promises made with the people.” SESSI commissioner Nasimul Ghani Sahto, Labour director Khadim Hussain Bhutto, and officers of Labour Department also attended the MoU signing ceremony. Published in Daily Times, March 22th 2018.