Sustainable Development Policy Institute organise seminar on sustainable ship recycling industry

Islamabad, October 28, 2013 (PPI-OT): Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) held a seminar on “Sustainable Ship recycling Industry” and also launched a research report “Pakistan Ship breaking Outlook: The Way Forward for a Green Ship-recycling Industry” here on Monday.

The research paper was a joint effort of SDPI and Non-Governmental Organization Ship Breaking Platform. Dr. Mahmood A. Khawaja, Senior Adviser SDPI on Chemicals and Sustainable Industrial Development moderated the proceedings.

Addressing the seminar the speakers were unanimous in their demand to the federal and the relevant provincial governments to develop and implement a ‘Green Ship Recycling Strategy, for prompt and sustained actions.

In his welcome address, Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director SDPI encouraged the efforts of “NGO Shipbreaking Platform”. According to him this industry should be taken seriously as it will boost our economy and provides employment to many people.

Kanwar Javed, the main author of the report from SDPI said that the study analyses the global economic and legal framework in which the ship breaking industry in Pakistan is embedded and sheds light on the linkages of the sector to the global maritime industry and its ship recycling practices. It then presents the current conditions in the ship breaking yards in Gadani, Pakistan, based on information retrieved during on-site visits and observations of the yards. “Further, the study proposes the way forward for a “green” ship recycling industry in Pakistan” he said.

Patrizia Heidegger (ED, NSP), a Co-author of this report introduced the main findings of the report. She shared that Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) to deal with hazardous wastes and other material retrieved from the ships are not in place. Moreover, thousands of tons of hazardous waste are piling up in the Gadhani area.

There is an urgent need to put in place facilities to take care of the waste otherwise it will endanger the environment and threaten the life of workers involved in the ship breaking industry already lacking health facilities.

While quoting the example she said that experience and ideas gained from different ship-breaking nations like China and India should be considered in formulating the rules and regulations for ship-breaking, which was recently formally recognised as an industry.

However, unfortunately, she maintained, documentation and record keeping is also non-existent. Further she said that generally, the enforcement of the law which is already in place such as the Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997, the Factories Act 1934 and the Pakistan Penal Code, is very weak. “With a joint effort by the relevant government bodies, shipbreaking industry, civil society and a special support from international organisations can turn this business into a modern and safe industry” she stressed.

In her address, Helen Previer, Chairperson Ship-breaking Platform (NSP) from Belgium said that the overarching goal of the Ship-Breaking Platform is to prevent toxic end-of-life ships from being beached in developing countries. She said the goal of NSP is to find sustainable solution that encompass the principles of human rights, environmental justice, “polluter pays”, and clean production.

Arifa Khalid, Member of National Assembly recognized the idea of holding of seminars on the topic in hand saying it will not only make them aware of issue but also prepare a plan of action to protect the rights of workers and the environment.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, World Famous Environmental Lawyer, Bangladesh emphasized that we need to send clear message to western world that South Asian beaches are not dumping grounds and lives of our poor laborers are not cheap to play with.

Robert Evans, Former British Parliamentarian said that in South Asian ship breaking yards workers are exposed to chemicals which can deeply harm the nervous system. Organic pollution coming from sewage can cause serious health risks for workers if they breathe in. He said unlike international laws Pakistan ship breaking industry is not working for its workers health and rights.

Majid Bashir, Advocate from Supreme Court discussed that present judiciary has announced green benches to look after the safety of environment. However, it is important to follow compliance report, guidelines provided by these convention and motivate and activate the existing law mechanism.

Admiral Asaf Humayun said that workers’ rights are not protected, notably health and safety rights, the freedom of association, worker’s welfare and benefits, and contractual rights. The immediate implementation of the applicable laws relative to labor rights is required.

Naseer Khan Kashani, DG Balochistan, Environmental Protection Agency said that our organization is ready to support this report to ensure its better practical implementation.

Ritwick Dutta, Environmental Lawyer, Supreme Court of India delivered his message online by saying that training and capacity building of the workforce is required immediately. Workers should be aware of the presence of hazardous materials in ships.

While chairing the session Romina Khurshid Alam, Member of National Assembly encouraged the efforts of researchers. According to her ship breaking industry’s condition in Pakistan is better than India and Bangladesh.

For more information, contact:
Faisal Nadeem Gorchani
Coordinator, Policy Advocacy and Outreach
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
38 Embassy Road, G-6/3 Islamabad, Pakistan
Postal Code: 44000
Tel: +92-51-2278134, (Ext: 113)
Fax: +92-51-2278135
Cell: 00-92-333-559 2210
Email: main@sdpi.org