From Correspondent

Gadani, Balochistan

Two Bengali-origin workers died in a tragic accident while working in a shipbreaking yard at Gadani Shipbreaking industry of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The deceased workers were identified as Qasim and Mustafa.

The workers were working at Yard No. 60, owned by Diwana Rizwan, former Chairman Gadani Ship Breakers’ Association.

The ship, where the accident took place on January 16, 2024, is CATHERINE BRIGHT (IMO 9186924, MMSI 373056000), a Bulk Carrier built in 1998 (26 years old) and was sailing under the flag of Panama.

Read also: Shipbreaking workers stage rally for rights

It has been informed by the trade union representative that the laborers were working in bottom of the ship were they died by falling of heavy iron plate on them from above. They were forced to work without safety gadgets as usual.

Pakistan had recently ratified Hong Kong Convention which is mainly for better & safe working environment, unfortunately welling ness for implementation is nowhere.

The ship-owners, concerned government departments including police are in an alliance against workers as a result Gadani shipbreaking is practically declared as zone without any law.

The police is protecting Jamadar (contactors) and owner who are responsible for the death of two workers. The deceased workers were buried in last hours of night in clandestine manner without proper postmortem and criminal investigation, the National Trade Union Federation alleged in a statement.

Also read: Pakistan Ship-breaking Industry: 15000 vessels expected to be scrapped in 10 years

Shipbreaking Workers Union and National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF) strongly condemned anti-labor and inhuman practices at shipbreaking yards which resulted in tragedies and fatal accidents, and demanded the authorities to conduct though inquiry and responsible persons should be punished severely.

__________________

The post Two Bengali laborers die during work at Pakistan’s shipbreaking industry first appeared on Sindh Courier.