Daily Times

Pakistan’s record in ensuring labour rights is dismal to say the least. Indeed, it is perhaps the worst for those working in hazardous industries. A gas explosion this week left nine dead in Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thereby further highlighting the perils of working in this dangerous sector.

Manual and semi-skilled labour often all too literally take their lives in their hands every time they clock-in. And it has been going on for far too long. Thus the priority must be overhauling health and safety measures across the country. But before this can happen, concrete steps must be taken to end the prevailing culture of invisibility when it comes to the lowest wage earners;  who are all too often reduced to dehumanised collateral in the march towards industrialisation and progress.

Thus the new set-up must introduce a system of benefit packages for those engaged in such environments; extending to co-dependents. When it comes to coalminers, the absence of work-related accidents does not mean a clean chit on the health front. After all, this kind of work is notorious the world over for the devastating impact on the lungs. This gives way to premature respiratory problems and subsequently impacts earning potential. Towards this end, it must be made mandatory for employers to provide free and regular access to healthcare. As well as compensation for family members should the worst happen.

Equally important is the need for comprehensive safety checks in terms of regular monitoring of vital equipment. For far too common in urban centres is the sight of labourers attending to electricity poles, say, while using decidedly unstable and rickety machinery; or else relying on nothing more sophisticated than a ladder. Similarly, emergency drills must also be put in place to avoid panic where possible, especially when evacuation is necessary.

Of course, such recommendations are nothing new. But it is time that the Pakistani state became concerned with protecting the most vulnerable. And this must start by rendering manual and semi-skilled labour visible.  *

Published in Daily Times, September 14^th 2018.