March 04, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 25, 1429

KASUR, March 3: Powerloom unit owners shut their units and observed hunger strike outside the shrine of Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah on Monday demanding a raise in wages of workers.

Up to 150 powerloom unit owners gathered outside the shrine. They said traders had not enhanced wages of workers per yard since 2006. The demonstrators held banners and placards bearing slogans against traders and exporters.

Powerloom Owners’ Association President Muhammad Ashraf Gujar and General Secretary Manzoor Ahmed Ansari said that traders and exporters had agreed to increase the rate of products by 20 per cent every year but they failed to honour their commitment.

He said increasing prices of kitchen items coupled with anti-labor policies had broken the back of labourers. They added the government had increased electricity charges which had burdened unit owners with additional charges.

They said unit owners had top face the agitation of labourers for their lower wages. The Kasur powerloom industry consists of 500 units and accommodates 4,000 workers.