The outdoor advertising industry plays a crucial role in shaping the visual landscape of cities across Pakistan. Yet, this impactful sector often overlooks the risks faced by its workers – the billboard installers who are exposed to dangerous conditions at great heights.
These workers are among the most vulnerable in the industry, performing dangerous tasks without enough safety gear or insurance coverage which often leads to life-threatening accidents.
Billboard workers face risks like falls, electrical hazards, and environmental exposure, without proper protection or insurance, these workers are left without safety.
A report by Dawn highlighted that occupational safety and health are not a top priority in Pakistan, with billboard advertising companies among the many businesses that ignore worker safety.
The Express Tribune reported a mishap where four workers were injured when a billboard collapsed, additionally, Dawn reported a fatal incident where three workers were electrocuted while installing a billboard, which underlines the grave risks workers face in the absence of proper safety measures.
“Laborers can often be seen climbing over fifty feet high without any safety gear such as harnesses, ropes, or helmets. Ironically, the ropes they use are only thick enough to hang tools. Sadly, the authorities turn a blind eye toward these blatant safety compromises, putting workers at great risk,” as reported by Dawn.
easypaisa – Pakistan’s mobile wallet, payments, and branchless banking services provider – is stepping up to change that narrative with an initiative to set a new benchmark for the safety of workers in the outdoor advertising industry.
Ensuring the protection of the outdoor advertising industry workers, easypaisa is leading the way by providing billboard workers with comprehensive medical insurance and high-quality safety gear that meets international standards.
By providing both safety gear and medical coverage, easypaisa is addressing these critical concerns and ensuring that workers are well-equipped and supported.
This initiative is not just a promise but a tangible action toward safeguarding the lives of those who make outdoor advertising possible by taking risks at great heights.
This initiative is more than just a corporate responsibility – it’s a call for all brands to follow suit and ensure that safety measures are standard practice across the industry.
It’s time for all brands, businesses, and stakeholders in outdoor advertising to work together for the welfare of the labor force, ensuring that safety gear and insurance coverage are provided to all the workers at outdoor advertising to create a safer and more responsible environment for the industry.
