Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said that Punjab government was focusing on capacity development of industry to promote compliance with labour standards, so as to achieve better production and ensure safety of the labour community.
Labour and Human Resource Department has launched a project in this regard with the total amount of Rs.134.16 million to create awareness among different stake holders regarding labour rights and strengthening inspection regime, he said.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting in this regard on Thursday. The labour minister said that the department has 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 as well as silicosis has been completed.
Training on OSH is given in collaboration with GIZ regarding textile sector along with completion of procurement of OSH kits and IT equipment. Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said that development of an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and simplification as well as consolidation of labour laws were the key factors of this project.
The minister said that 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 laboratories unique in Pakistan offering complete range of services in the field of EHS for exposure monitoring of workers and safety and physical hazards training, he added. The minister said that the stake holders have 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 help line 0800-73774 has also been established for any complaints and guidance in SAACIWCE.
