Govt to ensure labourers’ safety: minister

LAHORE

Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Raja Ashfaq Sarwar has said that to promote compliance with labour standards, capacity development of industry was the focus of the Punjab government to achieve better production and ensure safety to labour community.

The minister said that development of an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and simplification as well as consolidation of labour laws was the key factor of Occupational Safety Project.

He stated this while presiding over a meeting in this regard here Thursday. Labour Minister said the department had procured two ambulances for carrying out risk assessment and training along with laboratory equipment. The meeting was informed that the printing of training material on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as well as silicosis had been completed.

Labour and Human Resource Department has launched a project in this regard with the total amount of Rs134.16 million to create awareness among different stakeholders regarding labour rights and strengthening inspection regime.Training on OSH is given in collaboration with GIZ regarding textile sector along with completion of procurement of OSH kits and IT equipment.

The minister said that development of an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and simplification as well as consolidation of labour laws was the key factor of this project.

He said Saeed Ahmad Awan Centre for the Implementation of Working Conditions and Environment (SAACIWCE) was providing best professional services in the field of occupational safety, health and environment with its foreign qualified professionals and state-of-the-art equipment, enhancing a strong relationship with industry, business sector, international organisations and government agencies ensuring compliance with national, international as well as corporate environmental occupational safety and health standards.

SAACIWCE has unique laboratories in Pakistan offering complete range of services in the field of EHS for exposure and monitoring of workers and safety and physical hazards training, he added. 

The minister said the stakeholders had been provided necessary training and awareness regarding different diseases along with exposure to noise, heat, ventilation, dust, toxic gases in this centre and a free helpline 0800-73774 has also been established for any complaints and guidance in SAACIWCE.