FAISALABAD: Powerlooms workers have announced a protest campaign against what they said the government’s failure to resolve the issues of textile sector that led to the closure of dozens of factories.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Labour Qaumi Movement office-bearers including Aslam Miraj, Abu Zar Ghafari and Baba Latif said State Minister for Textile Haji Akram Ansari had promised that he would arrange a meeting [on wages issue] within one week between powerlooms owners and workers as well. However, two weeks passed and nothing was done to the effect whereas the situation of textile sector particularly the powerlooms was worsening with every passing day.

They said workers would join hands with factory owners to battle the current crisis and would also stage demonstrations to press the government for solution to the issues being faced by the textile industry.

On Thursday (Nov 2), they announced staging a demonstration at the Clock Tower intersection. Another protest would be held at Haveli Bahadar Shah, Jhang, when the chief minister and prime minister would [likely] come for the inauguration of power plant.

They said a national level labour conference would also be organised on Nov 8 and representatives of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, lawyers, trade unions and others would also be invited.

Textile sector is the backbone of the country providing 60 per cent revenue to the national kitty, however, the ‘ill-conceived’ policies of the government are said to have pushed the sector towards crisis.

Taxes and high rates of electricity and gas are considered main reasons for the textile crisis which rendered thousands of workers jobless.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2017