HARIPUR: Due to lack of implementation of relevant laws, pollution caused by factories in the Hattar Economic Zone continues to harm the ecosystem of Haripur.

The concern was voiced by district president of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Inaf’s labour wing and general secretary Hazara Labour federation Tahir Amin, while talking to mediapersons here on Friday.

He said over 250 functional industrial units of the estate had been wreaking havoc with the ecosystem of the district, once known for its greenery, fertile land and orchards.

He said the Environmental Protection Agency was unmoved by constant air, water and noise pollution caused by chicken feed, cement, steel, ghee, marble factories, chipboard and batteries manufacturing units.

PTI leaders flay EPA’s inaction against such factories in Hattar Economic Zone

Mr Amin while referring to different studies said the smell of chicken feed factories, affluent discharged by the units and flying particles in the dust had increased different respiratory, kidney, stomach and eye diseases both among the industrial workers and the residents living in the areas falling in the five kilometres radius of the industrial estate.

He accused the officials of EPA of giving free hand to the industrialists to play with the lives of over 40,000 industrial workers and the residents of the neighbouring areas.

Tahir Amin also pointed out labour laws violations in the HEZ, saying the industrialists had formed and got registered their industrial association, but workers of the 250 industrial units were not allowed to form labour unions. As a result, he said hiring of workers through private contractors was allowed in violation of labour laws.

The PTI leader said factory workers were forced to work overtime at less than the government-fixed wages. He said the industrial relation ordinance, social security law, Employees Old Age Benefits, Workers Welfare Fund ordinance and other laws guaranteeing the rights of industrial workers were being flagrantly violated, but the officials of department concerned were the silent spectators.

He also criticised the role of management of Hattar Economic Zone formerly known as Sarhad Development Authority and accused them of turning the department into a property-dealing shop.

When contacted, deputy director labour Faizullah Khan said his department had time and again warned the industrialists of legal action if any of them were found violating the labour laws. He claimed that institution of over 120 labour laws violations during the last three months was proof that the labour department was taking all out efforts for curbing violations of the relevant laws.

He urged the workers to approach his office with complaints of labour laws violations.

None of the officials from the local EPA office was available for comments.

Safeer Akhtar Awan, senior vice-president Hattar Industrialists Association, while commenting on the situation, said the association had been calling upon the entrepreneurs to ensure respect to the laws, especially those dealing with labour rights and environmental protection.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2020