SWABI: About 250 employees, who were fired by the management of a factory in the Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate a few days ago, here on Sunday staged a demonstration against the ‘unjust decision’.

The workers said they were fired without being served with a prior notice and payment of arrears, leaving them high and dry.

However, they vowed to continue fighting for their rights.

Nural Hayat, who led the protesting workers, said: “Our fight against the unjust decision of the factory’s management will continue till we succeed in getting our rights.”

The protesting workers claimed the factory had to pay them Rs73.3 million gratuity.

However, when contacted, Mohammad Jamil, manager of the factory, said that the arrears of the fired workers amounted to Rs55 million. He said payment of gratuity to workers would begin in February, adding they would also get December and January salaries.

Mr Jamil said workers were laid off because the factory was going to be shut down on account of shortage of raw material and stuck up consignments at the Karachi port.

The workers said they won’t allow the management to close the unit till clearance of their dues.

The workers asked the assistant director labour to take notice of their misery.

CAR SNATCHED: Two masked men snatched a car from a man at gunpoint here on Sunday.

Jehangir Khan of Nowshera district told the Tordher police he was going on the main road when a car suddenly stopped in front of him, and two masked men came out of it, snatch his vehicle, Rs7,000 cash, identity card, two ATM cards, a laptop, mobile phone and other items and sped away.

The police registered an FIR and started investigations.

Meanwhile, the police claimed they had arrested a man who stole mobile phones worth Rs147,000 from a shop.

DSP Topi Iftikhar Ali Khan said the stolen mobiles were also recovered from the possession of Mashal Khan of Topi city.

CNG STATIONS SHUT: All the CNG stations in Swabi have been closed for the current month to ensure smooth gas supply to domestic consumers.

Additional deputy commissioner Gohar Ali said the district administration would ensure strict implementation of the ban.

Published in Dawn, january 2th, 2023