The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has started 'Cash for Work' programme through Taraqee Foundation in the most affected villages of District Ziarat, Balochistan.
According to Country Director of ILO, Donglin Li said that so far 152 affectees have been given employment including 86 men working on debris removal and 66 women taking up the task of camp management.
He said that ILO emergency response through 'Cash for Work' helps earthquake affectees to immediately start work to overcome their trauma as well as increase their income.
Further, he said this is a quick means to inject cash in to the already troubled economy and help the affected people quickly start rebuilding their lives. Li said that he has sent his Senior Programme Officer to the affected area to quickly start the project.
He also briefed on ILO's overall operations in Pakistan and projects focusing Balochistan. The country director said ILO is providing support through 16 on-going projects worth $33 million to implement Decent Work Country Programme, developed and signed by Government of Pakistan, Employers Federation of Pakistan, Pakistan Workers Federation and the ILO office.
These projects are focusing on child and bonded labour, employment and skill development, labour market information, rural infrastructure, women empowerment and earthquake response in NWFP, AJK and currently in Balochistan.
Li mentioned a number of up-coming projects in the areas of skill development, rural infrastructure, and women and youth employment. He said that ILO would provide full support to ensure that people in Balochistan also benefit from these interventions.