12 October 2004	Tuesday	26 Shaban 1425

PESHAWAR, Oct 11: Women workers in the cosmetic factories in Swat face serious health hazards because they handle chemicals without any protective measures.

"I fill a bottle with cream without wearing any gloves," says Jamila who works in a factory that produces bleach.

Jamila's mother also works in the same factory, and there are many girls in their neighbourhood who work under the same environment. Wilayat Khan, who is the coordinator of Citizen Action Committee for Women in Swat, along with few other locals of the area, is trying to gather support of the people for forming an association of women workers in the cosmetic factories to secure for them their rights as workers.

"In Saidu Sharif, there is a factory producing medicine. All the workers there are women, most of whom getting very low wages," said Wilayat Khan. The packing and filling of the powder, soaps and bleach can cause health hazards, but the workers are not entitled for any medical facility from a government dispensary because the factories they work in were not registered with the government.

Wilayat Khan, who wanted to form an association of cosmetic factory workers, said he wanted to visit the factories but was not allowed to do so.