Dr Tahir Baig Barlas, an OSH&E expert said the work-related deaths, fatal injuries, and occupational accidents are the global concerns but the developed nations have worked out strategies and preventive laws to reduce the numbers of such cases. He said that
"The majority of occupational accidents, injuries and fatalities go unreported in Pakistan due to several reasons including lack of reporting culture," he said, urging that the company leadership should come forward and find remedies to protect the employees' life in the country.
Majyd Aziz also expressed concern over notices served by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to different industrial units. He said the SEPA had served notices to different business enterprises in the name of violation of environment laws and regulations, crating sense of frustration among the business community. "We are going to hold a meeting with the stakeholders on this issue in the first week of May, wherein we shall also consider the option to approach the Sindh High Court (SHC) against these notices," he said.
Fasihul Karim, secretary general EFP recalled that some untoward fire incidents that took place at different workplace/factories in recent years have discouraged foreign direct investment. "A couple of international companies closed their businesses in Pakistan last year assuming that this country is incapable to adopt international regulations pertain to health and safety," he said.
EFP best practices OSH&E awards were also distributed amongst the winning companies from different categories including textile sector, power and utility sector, processing and allied-sector, telecommunication and services sector. Serena Hotel Tourism Promotion Services got first price while the 2nd price was jointly shared by Emirates Supply Chain Services Pvt. Ltd, and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre amongst the services sector organizations.
Liberty Mills Limited won the first prize in the textile sector. Linde Pakistan Limited won the first prize amongst the power and utility sector companies. The Attock Refinery Limited secured first prize in the oil, gas and energy sector. The prize in the overall winning of OSH&E trophy was jointly shared by Pak Arab Refinery Limited and Pakistan Refinery Limited, while the 2nd prize was jointly shared by Interloop limited and K-Electric Ltd.
Saeedur Rehman of K-Electric, representing the winning companies, said that safety is the part and parcel of the workplace. "Life is precious, and it has no alternate at all," he said, urging the owners to feel this very responsibility and take initiatives to improve the safety conditions within their respective firms. He emphasised there should be training and workshops to highlight the significance of safety and protection on a regular basis. Ingrid Christensen, country director, International Labour Organization (ILO), Islamabad, and others also spoke.