AVN Report
HYDERABAD: The need for protecting labour rights of women cotton workers in the agriculture sector of the country was stressed at a recent workshop on climate change adaptation and occupational health and safety.
The two-day workshop organised by the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) in collaboration with Feed the Minds was attended by 40 women from 20 villages across Matiari district, focusing on the detrimental effects of climate change on health, productivity, and livelihoods.
It also highlighted the significance of labour rights and occupational safety in improving working conditions.
The sessions, led by experts on climate change and labour rights, including Jameela Nawaz, Zaubdia Turk, Ramsha Kalhoro, and Javed Hussain, examined the impact of climate change on women in the agricultural sector.
The experts discussed the fundamentals of decent work, covering fair wages, social protection, social dialogue, and equitable working conditions.
Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF, noted that women engaged in agriculture are particularly vulnerable to climate-related challenges, such as extreme temperatures and flooding, which have adversely affected their livelihoods and productivity.
“With temperatures soaring to 49°C, the working conditions have become unbearable,” he said, adding that the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 2017 remains unenforced in the agricultural sector.
“Climate change poses a significant threat to both cotton crops and the workers involved in cotton production,” Hussain said.
