KARACHI: Heirs of the
victims of Nov 1 oil tanker tragedy in Gadani will be provided Rs2 million each
as compensation within two weeks while authorities and employers will ensure
provision of safer workplace environment to the ship-breaking industry before
resumption of operation at the yards.
This was decided in a
tripartite meeting of the stakeholders – including representatives of the ship
breakers, government and labour unions — that took place on December 23 at
Gadani to resolve the lingering issues of workers’ compensation, social
security, health and safety in the wake of the tragedy.
On Nov 1, a blast that
ripped through a decommissioned oil tanker moored at plot No 54 at Gadani
ship-breaking yard killed, according to official count, 26 workers while
injuring 70 others. Four workers — Imran, Sherdad, Hanif and Shafiq — also went
missing after the incident. However, there were conflicting reports, claiming
the number of victims was far higher than the official tally.
“A seven-member committee
under Hub’s assistant commissioner has been formed to dispose of the matter of
compensation within 15 days,” said the Gadani Ship Breaking Workers Union president
Bashir Mehmoodani, adding that the panel includes members of the employers and
labour associations.
During the meeting chaired
by Kalat’s Commissioner Muhammad Hashim, Mehmoodani and the National Trade
Union Federation president Rafiq Baloch had represented the workers.
He said the meeting was
called after the employers and authorities failed to ensure safety of the
workers at their workplaces despite witnessing ‘the worst disaster in the
industry’s history.’
Mehmoodani said the meeting
decided that the heirs of each of the workers died during the oil tanker
tragedy will be given Rs2 million in compensation. Of these, Rs1.5million will
be given by the employer while the rest will be contributed by the government
through its labour department.
He said case of the four
missing workers had become complex because the authorities wanted proof that
they were present at the site when the fire started. “First, we are trying to
get an FIR registered about their being missing. This will be done with the testimonies
of their co-workers,” he said.
The labour leader lamented
that the authorities appeared negligent in this matter and were passing buck on
one another. “If the police failed to register an FIR, the labour union will
move the court seeking orders in this matter,” he added.
He hoped that since Kalat’s
commissioner had assured of resolving the matter at the earliest, it would be
resolved. However, if that did not happen then the labour representatives also
had other options. “Families of the victims are in deep despair. They need
immediate assistance,” he added.
The Labour Department’s
Deputy Director Fida Ahmed Shahwani, who was present in the meeting, told The
Express Tribune that employers were asked again to provide safety equipment to
workers and make efforts for their wellbeing at the workplaces. “If they don’t,
they will be dealt with according to the law.”
According to the decisions
made during the meeting, an ambulance will be stationed at each yard for
immediate rescue in case of any mishap. Workers will be given helmets,
dungarees, safety shoes, gloves and other gears to ensure their safety during
the work, which involves handling metal sheets and fire.
Kalat’s commissioner ordered
that special cards should be issued to the workers to make sure their identity
and their skill level. These cards will be linked with National Database
Registration Authority (NADRA) and the employers will be bound to hire only
those workers having them.
The labour department and
the labour union, however, are skeptic about the functioning of this system.
Source: the tribune. 27 December
2016
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