Safety Protocols
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) highlighted the challenges faced by coal mine workers and urged authorities to enforce safety protocols to safeguard them from accidents and health risks.
HRCP KP Vice Chairman Akbar Khan, along with HRCP KP Regional Coordinator Shahid Mehmood and HRCP member Ejaz Mohmand, emphasized this demand during a joint press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday.
The conference aimed to disseminate findings from an HRCP mission investigating the deaths of three coal mine workers in Darra Adam Khel (Kohat) on October 20, 2023.
Akbar Khan outlined that the mission attributed the workers’ deaths to persistent neglect of occupational safety standards and protocols.
During their visit, the workers interviewed were observed without proper safety gear, indicating a lack of awareness about standard mining safety practices.
The mission also noted a lack of reported accidents in another mine in the same district. They met with various stakeholders, including coal mine workers, the president of coal miners, labour union representatives, and local doctors.
HRCP officials expressed concern over the frequency of mining-related fatalities, reporting seven deaths in different coal mines of Darra Adam Khel from January 1 to 17, with around 200 casualties in the last two years.
They lamented inadequate record-keeping of accident reports and insufficient healthcare access.
The mission underscored the inadequacy of enforcing the KP Mines Safety, Inspection, and Regulation Act 2019 at the visited mines.
They recommended reforms to align the law with mine management structures and emphasized meticulous documentation of mining practices to ensure adherence to safety protocols.
Furthermore, HRCP called for formal registration, contracts, training, fair pay, and improved working conditions for coal mine workers to enhance their well-being and safety.
Finally, HRCP urged Pakistan to ratify ILO Convention C176 to uphold the safety and health rights of mine workers. Strict regulation and enforcement of safety practices in the coal mining industry are crucial to safeguarding the labor rights of coal miners.
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