Sindh government, Unicef sign Rolling Work Plan 2020

The Sindh government and Unicef on Thursday signed the Rolling Work Plan 2020, under which the UN agency will spend $30 million on water supply, sanitation, nutrition, education and other important projects.

Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah and Unicef Deputy Representative Tajudeen Oyewale signed the agreement. Shah said the provincial government and Unicef will conduct a survey to ascertain the number of child labourers so they can be provided education and skills training for formal employment.

Labour Secretary Rashid Ahmed Solangi informed the CS that his department will conduct the survey, for which the labour department has floated a summary to hire staff for the study. The chief secretary approved the hiring of 432 staff members — 214 male enumerators, 72 female enumerators, 72 surveyors and 72 observers — for a period of four months. The CS directed the labour secretary to complete the survey on time because it is important for formulating policies.

Health Secretary Zahid Abbasi informed the CS that the health department will convert 50 abandoned dispensaries in Thar into birth stations by providing all the basic facilities and staff.

Unicef’s Oyewale appreciated the Sindh government for taking an interest in the survey. He said the UN agency will spend $30 million under the Rolling Work Plan 2020. He also said Unicef has been supporting the local government in birth registration of children.

Planning Board Chairperson Naheed Shah Durrani, Public Health Engineering Secretary Niaz Abbasi, Social Welfare Secretary Muhammad Nawaz Shaikh, Unicef’s Sindh field office chief Cristina, health specialist Dr Ayaz Hussain, child protection officer Mehwish Maria and others were also present on the occasion.