The International Labour Organization (ILO) is assisting the Pakistani government in implementing an emergency employment project in Jamshoro, Sindh province, after initiating a "quick infrastructure rehabilitation" project for the flood-affected population in Hanna Orak, Balochistan province.

According to an ILO press release received by WealthPK, the project would be carried out by the Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) and would provide about 5,000 person days of work for the residents of Manjhand.

Among the provinces most severely impacted by recent disastrous floods are Sindh and Balochistan. The ILO found that Sindh has seen the most loss or disruption of employment, at 50%, compared to all other provinces.

The agricultural sector and other informal sectors of the economy are primarily affected by the loss of jobs. But recent floods have worsened the situation for women who work in the agricultural sector.

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi has appreciated the ILO for its quick response to the crisis caused by the floods. Rapid infrastructure restoration, he said, "not only injects cash" by putting people back to work but also ensures that "people's dignity is honoured in the recovery and reconstruction process."

The rapid infrastructure reconstruction project started in Manjhand, Jamshoro - according to ILO Officer-in-Charge for CO Pakistan Manzoor Khaliq - was a small drop in the ocean, but it was scalable and can be complemented through an integrated approach that provides people with health, education, social services, and protection in addition to daily wages for the work they do.

According to Manzoor, the project would make sure that the new job opportunities adhere to international labour standards, that "no kid is engaged in labour," and that both men and women are given "equal opportunity."

The federal minister along with Saleh Jumani, Secretary of Workers Welfare Board, Waqar Memon, ILO Officer In-charge for CO Pakistan Manzoor Khaliq, and Pakistan Workers Federation made a community visit where they met those registered with the emergency employment project and girls and boys who are enrolled in non-formal education sessions organised in the community.

Asad Memon, a PWF representative, informed the visitors of Manjhand that women in Sindh have inherent abilities. "We are leveraging these by helping them make ... local crafts and they will be assisted in making market linkages so these products can be sold."

Sindh Employees Social Security Institution's medical officers examined the affected people and provided basic medical care.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk