A Cry For Justice: The Plight Of Pakistan's Coal Miners

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) Whenever I look at coal, I am reminded of the miners' tired, sad, and disappointed faces. The mines these miners work in resemble graveyards, as they delve deep into the mountains to extract coal, often becoming coal themselves. It breaks my heart to see that despite their tremendous efforts, their basic needs are unmet.

Do you know that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa boasts some of the world's best coal, available in Shangla, Orakzai, Kurram, Dara Adam Khel, Mohmand, Mardan, DI Khan, Chitral, Mansehra, Kohistan, Buner, and other regions? This coal generates substantial foreign exchange. However, have you ever considered if justice is being served when it comes to paying these workers their wages? Sadly, it is not. If justice were being done, these miners would not be facing such dire conditions.

Regardless of the scorching heat or bone-chilling cold, these workers toil 18-hour days in the coal mines. Unfortunately, they lack modern equipment and are uninformed about safety measures. Centuries have passed without any innovation in these mines, and the miners have not received any training. In contrast, miners in foreign countries have access to all kinds of facilities and receive regular training, which significantly reduces the risk to their lives.

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To extract coal, these miners descend to depths ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 feet. These mines contain about seven to eight types of poisonous and deadly gases. Bomb blasts are often used to extract coal, which is extremely dangerous and has resulted in many fatalities. Calling these mines“mines of death” would not be an exaggeration. The health of these miners deteriorates to such an extent that treatment costs run into lakhs of rupees. Many miners suffer from lung diseases, hepatitis, TB, asthma, chest infections, and respiratory ailments.

Once, during a TV interview with a miner, the journalist asked why he continued to work despite the dangers. The miner replied,“If we don't do this work, what will we eat? I have a whole family to feed. Their support is my responsibility.” The journalist was left speechless.

Most of these coal mines are in mountainous regions where the inhabitants are poor, uneducated, and lack awareness. The problems of these miners are compounded by the absence of a labor union, and the powerful mine owners often prevent them from forming or joining one.

There is a labor department supposedly established to protect their rights, but the plight of these miners remains unchanged. No one else raises their voice for these miners or supports their families when a miner dies or becomes disabled. There is no arrangement for their sustenance or the education of their children. These miners have neither social security nor old-age benefits.

They endure poverty, fulfill the necessities of life with their blood and sweat, live their lives without fulfilling their dreams, and in the end, are left with nothing but empty hands and regret.

If a fire breaks out in these mines, the fire brigade rarely arrives in time, and even if they do, it takes too long. In any other emergency, there is no ambulance or other facility available. If a miner's condition deteriorates, he often dies en route to the hospital due to poor roads.

In conclusion, while Pakistan's labor class faces many challenges, coal miners face the most severe ones. Workers are human too; they have dreams and aspirations and deserve to live their lives in comfort, peace, and dignity.

Both the government and NGOs should address the problems of these miners. They should be provided with modern machinery and regular safety training. The government should bear the cost of their medical treatment in case of health hazards. Doing so will uphold human rights and encourage these miners to continue their vital work.

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