Islamabad
Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporters of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity on Sunday organized a seminar on ‘Awareness on Standard Operating Procedure’ to ensure decent working conditions for sustainable rice production for rice millers and rice growers.
A number of representatives of following rice mills Matco Foods, Atlas Foods, Superfoods, Anwaar Corporation, Goraya Rice Mills, Engro Eximp, Khan Rice Mills, Sakina Rice Industry and Al Wahab Rice Mill participated in the event, said a press release issued by RPL here. Besides, a dozen farmers and agriculture laborers attended the event.
Head of smart farmers Community RPL , Mr. Zafar Iqbal while giving the opening remarks highlighted the initiatives of RPL to promote and ensure decent working conditions in the rice value chain of Pakistan.
RPL has trained thousands of farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on a 50 percent cost sharing basis.
He also narrated that RPL is also working for welfare of agriculture labor. RPL established Community Mother Centres at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters.
Senior Child Rights Activist and Consultant Dr. Waqas A Khan said that rights of children are the key of SRP protocols so the rice millers must give attention to this.
He said that physical, emotional and psychological health of children belonging to agriculture labour must be considered for a conducive working environment in the rice value chain.
He said that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a collective social responsibility.
He said that we must protect the fundamental rights of children particularly right to name, education, health, safety, security; freedom of expression, freedom of association without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, caste and creed.
Besides the seminar while talking to the APP, Chief Executive Officer of RPL Muhammad Ali Tariq has said, that child rights should be prioritized in every sector including the agriculture sector.
He also highlighted the mode of communication to create the awareness for children’s rights and their protection, especially who belongs to the families working in the rice value chain. —APP
