Workers in Gadoon Amazai may face ‘fine’

SWABI: The Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) and other labour organisations Sunday expressed resentment over Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate entrepreneurs’ policy, under which the labourers observing the International Labour Day as holiday would reportedly face two-day deduction from salary as a fine.

They were speaking at a gathering held in connection with the May Day, organised by the PWF. Workers and their leaders from various organisations staged a march here.They gathered in the district headquarters and marched on various roads while holding placards and chanting slogans for the workers’ rights.

The procession finally reached Tehsil Municipal Administration offices where speakers addressed the demonstrators. Aslam Adil, president of Awami Labour Union Sinohydro, Tarbela Dam, was chief guest on the occasion.

Aqil and Shaukat Anjum, national coordinator of PWF, criticised the Gadoon Estate industrialists, saying that perhaps it was for the first time in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa history that the workers are expected to face fine for observing International Labour Day. The workers raised slogans against the Gadoon industrialists who, they alleged, flagrantly violated the workers’ rights and forced them to work for 12 hours.

“The industrialists should believe in dignity of labour. They should be committed to providing workers better working environment, instead of exploiting their poor economic position,” said Adil.

Anjum said the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments should take notice of Gadoon industrialists’ apathy towards the workers and must take practical steps for improving the conditions of the labour class. Other speakers said the government should provide better housing, medical and education facilities to the workers across the country. They said that in a working environment, they could deliver and ensure unbelievable production and profits.