June 27, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 22, 1429

FAISALABAD, June 26: Situation is still simmering in the district because of differences among powerloom owners and workers, as both the sides were not ready to immediately resolve issues.

Powerloom owners closed down their weaving units following their announcement of a strike for an indefinite period against the administration.

On the contrary, labourers are also not ready to join their duties and they are still demanding strict punishment to those who opened fire on unarmed labourers.

The labourers have been demanding raise in wages, group insurance, registration under social security and EOBI scheme.

The All-Pakistan Cotton Powerlooms Association (APCPA) convened a meeting to evolve a future course of action.

Addressing the meeting, chairman of the association, Khalid Mehmood, condemned the burning of weaving units in Sadhar, owned by MPA Mian Ajmal Asif.

He demanded that appropriate measures be taken to ensure protection of life and property to industrialists. In case the government did not protect the power-loom units, the APCPA would be constrained to close down their factories for an indefinite period, he said.

The Labour Qaumi Movement will hold a protest demonstration on Friday to press the authorities for acceptance of their demands.