November 8, 2002	Friday	Ramazan 2,1423

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FAISALABAD, Nov 7: The labour welfare department has miserably failed to implement the labour laws in industrial units as a result of which labourers are facing a number of problems.

The officials of the labour welfare department, social security and other agencies concerned seem to be helpless in taking legal action against the owners of industrial units involved in violating rules and regulations due to their connections with high-ups of various government departments.

Hundreds of old people and children are working in factories on contract basis in highly unhygienic condition. Over 70 per cent labourers have become chronic patients of TB, asthma and other serious diseases due to environmental pollution in the industrial units.

They are reportedly working 12 hours a day in the powerlooms, sizing, dying, chemical, printing, finishing, hosiery and other units for a daily wage of Rs30 to Rs40.

In flagrant violation of environmental laws, the factory owners have not installed treatment plants to nullify the effects of hazardous chemical effluents. They have also not provided their work force with masks and other safety gear.

It is alleged that the labour welfare department’s officials receive bribe from the owners of industrial units for ignoring such flaws.

Labourers and their families living in the residential areas of the factories have also developed ENT and chest diseases due to high environmental pollution.