IN 1992, during a UN conference on Water and Environment in Brazil, the World Water Day was declared to sensitise people and states to take care of this precious resource.
The UN Assembly responded positively to this recommendation and declared March 22 as an annual feature, with a specific theme to address current and future challenges of water. Since then governments, states and civil society have been correspondingto thiseventas per their local challenges.
In Pakistan`s case, our economy is highly dependent on water-sector labour and jobs.
From our agriculture labour to fisherfolk communities, the majority of the labour force is engaged in water-sector jobs but their rights are not protected. Deprivation of proper wages, lack of pension or gratuity and non-availability of social-safety nets, including health insurance, make a large number of labourers vulnerable in Pakistan.
The situation is worse in downstream areas where scarcity of water forces people to migrate. Besides, sea intrusion has increased the miseries of farmers and fishermen of coastal areas of Badin, Thatta and Karachi. An ill-designed drainage system has destroyed fertile land of several districts in Sindh through poisoned and brackish water.
The PPP government has done nothing to protect water-dependent lives and livelihood. Not a single agro-water support project has been introduced to protect jobs of millions of people who are totally dependent on water economy.
People`s access to safe, sufficient and reliable water has become a sour dream for all urban and rural areas.
