By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) - Christians confirmed Thursday that five Christian sanitation workers have died in accidents in Pakistan this week, highlighting concerns about the plight of non-Muslim workers.
Police said the four workers, Ratna Masih, Babar Masih, Irfan Masih, and Naeem, were cleaning the sewer disposal system in the Satellite Town area of Bhalwal City in Punjab province “when they were overcome by toxic gas.”
Rescuers responded, “pulling the unconscious workers from the sewer and transporting them to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Bhalwal” on Wednesday, police said.
Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Ratna, Babar, and Irfan, they succumbed to their injuries, according to Christians familiar with the situation.
A fourth Christian worker, Naeem Masih, was reportedly in critical condition at the hospital.
The previous day in Sindh Province, Christians Yunus Hidayat and Yunus Masih, and a Hindu, Badal Gujrati, died after they inhaled toxic gases, Christians said.
The tragedy in Punjab Province struck when a supervisor forced the workers to enter a well without proper safety equipment, according to Christians. Distraught families of the deceased workers later staged a protest by placing the workers’ bodies in front of the Bhalwal municipal office.
TAKING ACTION
The protesters demanded Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif order an inquiry and take action against those responsible for the deaths.
They also demanded the government provide safety equipment to sewer workers, lamenting that dozens have died due to toxic gases without any action taken to address the dangers.
“Our brothers continue to die in manholes. But their deaths have failed to move the government,” said Sikandar Farman, a Christian who was formerly a member of the Bhalwal Municipal Committee. “How many more lives will it take for the authorities to understand the plight of these workers?”
Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora said the government regretted the deaths of the workers and would ensure the provision of safety equipment.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reportedly announced a compensation of 3 million Pakistani Rupees ($10,765) for the victims.
Her government also directed doctors to ensure the best possible medical treatment for survivor Naeem Masih and wished him an early recovery. However, Christians have reasons to fear that more Christian sanitation workers will also suffer.
In several areas of Pakistan, “the Christian community sold off their agricultural land for a minimal price to wealthy landlords and exchanged their work in the fields for low-paying menial and often dangerous jobs, such as janitors and sanitation workers. This is a pattern in Pakistan, where those from minority religions are thought of and treated as second-class citizens,” said advocacy group Open Doors.
Pakistan ranks seventh on the Open Doors’ annual World Watch List of 50 countries where it says Christians suffer most for their faith in Christ. Christians comprise less than two percent of Pakistan’s mainly Muslim population of roughly 252 million people, according to several data.