There was a wave of shock in the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when the bodies of the workers who died in a coal mine accident in Spinkariz near Quetta were brought to their native villages. Shangla's miners are a vital part of Pakistan's highly dangerous mining sector, but this time families were treated to flower-bedecked funerals for their loved ones. A total of 28 miners were killed in Thursday's toxic gas explosion, of which 23 were from the Mian Kali area alone.

Funeral prayers performed in mountain valleys were attended by grieving relatives, local elders and laborers thousands of kilometers from their homes. Most of the laborers were forced to descend in these deep caves of Balochistan due to severe economic constraints due to lack of sources of employment in Shangla. The tragedy has once again exposed the lack of safety measures in Pakistan's unregulated mining industry, where basic safety equipment and gas-checking equipment are still a dream.

High cost of hazardous labor

For generations, the residents of Shangla and other northern districts have gone to work in the deep and airy channels of Balochistan and Sindh. They risk hours underground for a meager daily wage, because they know that contractors never follow safety rules. The latest incident of spin caries is a proof of the failure of the provincial and federal departments who have completely failed to implement the Mines Act of 1923.

Labor unions have repeatedly pointed out that mine owners allegedly evade inspections by bribing local inspectors. When methane gas builds up in a tunnel, workers have no warning system before an explosion. The affected families in Shangla are now left alone as despite the official announcements, compensation funds are not available on time, which could support the orphaned children and widowed mothers.

What you should do

If a loved one of yours works in any coal mine in Balochistan or Punjab, insist that he or she demand basic safety equipment like gas detectors and ventilation pipes before going down the tunnel. Immediately contact labor unions or legal aid agencies operating in Quetta and Peshawar if employers refuse to provide safety documents or withhold compensation after an accident.

What to watch next

Keep a close eye on what action is taken by the inquiry committee set up by the Balochistan government and whether the names of the oblivious license holders come to light. Look forward to the initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources which promises to audit private mines across the country to prevent such tragedies-

  • Keep checking the statements of Pakistan Central Mines Labor Federation.
  • Keep an eye on the announcements made by the Shangla District Administration regarding the rehabilitation of the affected families.
  • Follow up on Labor Department raids against unregistered mines in Suraj and Machh areas.