HUB, July 20: The industrial units in the Lasbela Industrial Estate Development Authority are violating their agreement by not providing working opportunities to the local people, Dawn learnt during its survey here on Saturday.

Statistics show that more than 140 out of the total 250 units established in the LIEDA premises have been closed down for various reasons.

According to an agreement with the LIEDA, these units are bound to provide 75 per cent jobs to the local people and to train the unskilled ones for absorption in future, but only 32 per cent jobs are given to the locals and no effort is being made to prepare any future crop of skilled workers.

More than 15,000 workers are at present working in various industrial concerns. About 9,110 of them are registered with the labour department, while the remaining are working on contract. Of the 9,110 registered workers, the locals number 2,834 (32.5 per cent).

According to the statistics, 93 units are operating in the Hub Industrial Trading Estate, where 8,350 employees work. The locals among the work force number only 2,604. Similarly, in Gadani’s three units, the locals number 39 in a total of 328 workers. Also, only 88 local people work in the eight units of the Winder Industrial Trading Estate, where as many as 217 people work.

In Uthal, the situation is better. In two units of the area, 103 local people work out of the total strength of 215 workers.