DRAFT A POLICY ON LONG-TERM BASIS FOR THE WELFARE OF MINE WORKERS PROVINCIAL MINISTER IBRAHIM HASAN MURAD

Lahore, : Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Ibrahim Hasan Murad said that a long-term policy has to be developed to maintain the welfare of mine workers and it is necessary to take advantage of the support of welfare organizations.These views were expressed by the provincial minister during a meeting with the program director of Akhuwat Foundation in his camp office on Tuesday. In the meeting, the measures for the welfare of the mine workers were reviewed in detail. The provincial minister desired, various courses should be conducted to make mine workers skilled which will help them to adapt to the requirements of the modern era and this includes courses for women. He further said that along with the courses, help in micro-financing can be taken from Akhuwat Foundation, while various medical camps can be set up for the mines workers. Dr. Izharul Haq Hashmi, Program Director of Akhuwat Foundation, opined that it would be better to further strengthen the Workers Welfare Board of the Mines and Minerals Department, while collaboration with various training institutes can be taken forward. establishing an endowment fund for mine workers will bring positive results. The provincial minister directed the commissioner MLWC to ensure a pilot program to ensure food supply to students in mines schools while new ideas are needed on capacity building of workers and positive suggestions should be given a draft form. On this occasion, Commissioner MLWC Riaz Ahmad Chaudhry, PSO Shoaib and other related persons were present.