Long-term policy vital for mineworkers’ welfare: minister

LAHORE : Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Ibrahim Hasan Murad said that a long-term policy has to be developed to maintain the welfare of mineworkers.

The provincial minister expressed these views during a meeting with the programme director of Akhuwat Foundation Dr Izharul Haq Hashmi in his camp office on Tuesday. The measures for the welfare of the mineworkers were reviewed in detail in the meeting. The provincial minister said that various courses including courses for women should be conducted to make mine workers skilled which will help them to adapt to the requirements of the modern era.

He further said that along with the courses, help in micro financing can be taken from Akhuwat Foundation, while various medical camps can be set up for the mine workers.

Dr Izharul Haq Hashmi opined that it would be better to further strengthen the Workers Welfare Board of the Mines and Minerals Department, while collaboration with various training institutes can be taken forward. Establishing an endowment fund for mine workers will bring positive results. The provincial minister directed the commissioner MLWC to ensure a pilot programme to ensure food supply to students in mines schools.