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| October 18, 2005 | Tuesday | Ramzan 13, 1426 |
Factory buildings vulnerable after quake, warn workers
SIALKOT, Oct 17: Scores of labourers are compelled to work in factory buildings damaged by the earthquake in the district. Talking to newsmen, several industrial workers identified over a dozen units engaged in sports goods and leather processing on the Daska and Wazirabad roads whose buildings had developed cracks.
They said despite being repeatedly informed about the condition of the buildings, the factory owners had yet not taken steps for their repairs.
The Labour department officials were also taking no notice of the factory owners’ negligence, they alleged.
Some workers said that they had refused to work in the risky environment, but the owners threatened to fire them.
The workers apprehended that the damaged buildings might collapse in case of another tremor.
They said the issue had been raised before Punjab Industries Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema and Minister for Labour and Human Resources Syed Akhtar Hussain Rizvi.
Several trade bodies, besides officials concerned of Labour and Buildings departments, refused to comment on the issue.
“This is not an issue. You better cover some important issue,” a labour department official said.
SURGICAL KITS: The Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMA) has dispatched a consignment of 5,000 disposable surgical kits to the quake-stricken areas.
SIMA Chairman Naeem Anwar Qureshi told the press here on Monday that the kits would be used in medication and major and minor surgeries of survivors.
He said the number of kits would also be increased as per requirement.
Mr Qureshi said the association had also donated Rs2 million for relief goods.
CMH: More than 13 injured people, including women and children, from the affected areas have been admitted to the Combined Military Hospital.
CMH Commander Brig Hafeezur Rehman told the press that as many as 200 beds had been spared for possible arrival of more injured.
60 TRUCKS: The army has dispatched as many as 60 trucks, containing relief goods worth Rs10 million, to the affected areas.
Talking to the press here on Monday, Sialkot Garrison Commander Maj-Gen Ashraf Saleem said people were donating generously at the army’s several relief camps established in Shakargarh, Noorkot, Phalora, Chawinda, Zafarwal and other areas.
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