KARACHI, Aug 15: The number of registered factories in the province and the employed factory workers rose to 6,157 and 336,880 respectively with registration of 144 factories and 4,652 workers during the first six months of this year by the provincial directorate of labour.

According to a report submitted to Sindh Minister for Labour, Transport and Industries Adil Siddiqui, the directorate received 102 cases under the Workman Compensation Act while 109 such cases was decided and Rs1.3 million were sanctioned for the payment.

The department received 277 cases under the Payment of Minimum Wages Act 1936 during this period and decided 605 cases approving payment of Rs5.044 million.

The report says the labour directorate conducted inspection of 1,635 establishments from January to June while cases were registered against 977 factories for violation of labour laws. The courts decided 266 cases and Rs27,000 fines were imposed on the factories found involved in the violations.

Besides, six new trade unions were registered during the six months raising their number to 293.—PPI