TOBA TEK SINGH: The two-week-long sit-in of powerloom workers ended on Wednesday after the successful negotiations between powerloom owners and the leader of the Pakistan Labour Qaumi Movement.

Traffic on Faisalabad-Jhang Road outside Faisalabad Airport also resumed with the termination of the protest.

A contract reached between workers and owners through the mediation of district administration states owners will increase 15 percent of wages of the workers with effect from July 21, while the Social Security Department would issue social security cards for workers.

The labour department would install earth breakers to save workers from the danger of electrocution in factories within 15 days while the environment department will take action against owners for installing substandard boilers.

Deputy Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh met with powerloom owners and leaders and oversaw the contract signing ceremony. LQM chief Baba Latif Ansari said that under the agreement the cotton yarn sizing unit owners have been made bound to not to use as fuel the used scrap imported cotton, woollen and acrylic clothes in their boilers to make the pollution-free environment.

BODY: The body of Sonia Bibi, 16, who drowned on Monday was also recovered on Wednesday from the River Chenab.

On Tuesday, Rescue 1122 divers fished out the body of her elder sister Allah Rakhi. Rescue 1122 spokesperson said on Wednesday that efforts were also4 underway for the recovery of Muhammad Usman, who is still missing in the river near New Chund.

PROTEST: Scores of villagers staged a protest demonstration on Wednesday at Sindhillianwali near Trimmu-Head Sindhnai canal bridge located on Faisalabad-Multan Road against Fesco over sending them inflated power bills of domestic and tube well electricity connection.

They set old tyres on fire and blocked traffic on the road. Police officials held talks with them and assured them that Fesco authorities will be apprised about their issue over which they ended their protest.

The residents of Bhallair Colony also staged a similar protest. Women and men burnt power bills. Also at Faisalabad in Rasoolpura locality scores of men and women staged a protest demonstration against Fesco over issuing them high tariff bills for September.

During their protest scuffle also took place between the protesters and policemen over the restoration of blocked traffic. The protesters set ablaze their power bills during their protest.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2022