JALALABAD (SW): The miners in Nangarhar’s Kama district feel deprived of basic rights and safety tools for the dangerous job.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, these hard working labourers said they are not paid by the mines’ owners on regular basis. They said sometimes it takes them up to ten days to earn only around 150 rupees. On a rare lucky day, however, they can earn 1000 rupees.
Sakhi Gul, one of the miners, informed he has been working in these mines for the past 15 years now. “We are not certain if we would go back to our homes everyday because these mines can collapse upon us any day”, he feared. Sakhi Gul was once taken away to Pakistan for medical treatment when he sustained serious injury on his leg while working in the mine. According to these miners, many of their colleagues lost their lives here, and many more got permanently disabled.
Mohammad Gul, another miner, recalled one of their colleagues died in front of their eyes when the mine collapsed but there were no tools available to save his life. Gul lamented the labourers here have witnessed many such horrific incidents.
Liaqat Adil, President of the Afghanistan Labourer’s Union, said in this regard these workers have been exploited illegally. He noted hundreds of miners have died in Kama district over the past 15 years. The labour leader urged upon the government and aid agencies to pay attention to the state of miners in Kama district.
The provincial government has acknowledged all the issues. Abdul Hakeem Sherzad, director for labour and social affairs, mentioned the owners of these mines have been directed many times to safeguard the rights of the labourers. He added the men work in these mines under harsh conditions only due to poverty. Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, said solutions can be found for the issues if the miners share their problems directly with the provincial government.
ENDS
