HARIPUR: The police arrested 10 workers of a fertiliser factory over a scuffle with members of the management here on Wednesday.

The scuffle, which occurred over a salary dispute, injured four people, including managing director Mian Ahsan and admin officer Javed Iqbal of the Agritech Industry Private Limited.

Mian Ahsan complained to police that some workers led by union leader Jawad Rasool entered the management’s offices and demanded payment of salary to those dismissed on disciplinary grounds.

He insisted that the workers thrashed him and admin officer before shaving off the latter’s moustaches.

Meanwhile, Jawad Rasool told the police that the factory’s management pressured union leaders for doing away with the union and paid salary to workers through a labour contractor in violation of the laws.

He also accused the management of violating labour laws by paying workers salary by hand instead of through bank accounts.

Meanwhile, Hazara Labour Federation president Qamar Hayat and general secretary Tahir Amin reached the police station and showed solidarity with the arrested workers.

Mr Hayat said the laws didn’t allow the functioning of labour contractors but the factory’s management was hiring and firing workers through the contractor.

He warned that the workers would agitate if the staff members and its supporters were not arrested over the scuffle.

When contacted, deputy director (labour) of Hazara division Faizullah Khan said his office had fine the management of Agritech thrice for illegally handling its manpower through a labour contractor.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2019