SUKKUR, Dec 4: The dispute between the employees of the Pak-Saudi Fertilizer Factory, Mirpur Mathelo, a state-owned organization, and its management has taken a dramatic turn with the district Nazim Ghotki, Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Maher, jumping into the fray.

He has written a letter to the chairman NFC in Lahore complaining against the non-cooperative attitude of the PSFM Managing Director, Fayyaz Akhter, for his reconciliatory efforts undertaken last month.

The employees union has been protesting against the management over privatization of the factory for quite sometime.

Since the matter had reached a turning point, the district Nazim was approached by the union chief Amin Soomro to mediate. The Nazim summoned both the sides at a meeting on November 24, 2001. While the union representatives participated, no official including the MD of the factory attended it.

When contacted the MD said that he could not attend the meeting as his sugar level had plummeted to a dangerous level and the doctors had also advised him to stick to the bed.

He, however, managed to send his deputies at the meeting with the Nazim, who put forth the factory viewpoint.

He further said that the management was providing all benefits and perks under the labour laws to the workers. He added that every now and then the workers used to raise certain demands which were not in the purview of the labour policy and detrimental to the government as well factory’s interests.

He said that industrial peace was his prime responsibility and so far the law and order was concerned he said he would extend his fullest cooperation to the Zila Nazim.

The MD further said he had request the NFC chairman to personally visit Mirpur Mathelo to verify the facts.

EYE CAMP: Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Sukkur, is organizing free eye-camps at taluka hospital, Kandhkot and rural health centre, Bakshapur, Jacobabad on Dec 11 and 13, 2001 respectively.