KARACHI, June 13th: Despite its promises, the Sindh government has not released funds to the commission constituted by the court to disburse monetary compensation among the families of the Baldia factory fire. The Sindh High Court, after learning about the delay in funds, issued notice to the relevant provincial government’s authorities and advocate general on June 12 to explain why the government has not released funds despite an undertaking given before the court. At least 259 workers were burnt alive in one of the country’s worst industrial disasters when fire broke out in the Ali Enterprises factory on September 9, 2012. After multiple human rights advocacy groups approached the high court for a judicial inquiry into the disaster, the federal and provincial governments … [Read more...]
Three construction workers plunge 150 feet to death
Karachi, June 5: The collapsing metallic framework of an under-construction skyscraper sent four labourers plunging 150 feet to their deaths in Block 21 of the Federal B Area on June 4, while three of their coworkers were injured in the accident. Station House Officer (SHO) FB Industrial Area Arif Afridi said the horrific accident was caused by a displaced shuttering at an under-construction tower of Lucky One – a residential/commercial project – and led to at least seven labourers falling from a tremendous height. Fazal Mills, which belonged to the owners of the project, formerly stood at the site of this disaster. Thirty-year-old Sabir and Rashid died instantly when their bodies smashed against the metallic pipes on the ground below them, while a third labourer, Saleem, died … [Read more...]
A tale of two tragedies
May 17: September 11, 2012 – over 1,000 workers reported for duty at Karachi’s Baldia garment factory, most for the last time in their lives. Till today, we are unclear over how many of them were there at the start of the day and how many were burnt alive in the tragic inferno, charred and unrecognisable bodies continuing to be unearthed days after the fire. The official death toll stopped at a vague and insensitive official note stating “over 300 people died in the fire”. That there were more who were still missing, bodies that were never identified or traced is hardly relevant to the capitalistic machinery that is interested solely in profits and deadlines. Located on the outskirts of Dhaka, Rana Plaza – an eight-storey building, many of which were constructed illegally – … [Read more...]
May Day: workers want protection, better wages
PESHAWAR, May 2: Labour unions on May 1 organised the Labour Day processions, rallies and seminars across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid calls by workers for better wages and protection. The main event of the day in Peshawar was a rally of workers organised by Pakistan Workers Federation on Sher Shah Soori Road. Holding banners and placards and shouting slogans, participants later gathered outside Peshawar Press Club, where labour leaders delivered speeches highlighting the sacrifices of Chicago workers in 1886. The speakers, including Pakistan Wapda Hydro Union leaders Gohar Taj, Haji Mohammad Iqbal, Mustajab Mazdoor Yar and Ali Said, Khyber Union of Journalists Union’s general secretary Ali Hazrat Bacha and Hydro Union’s spokesman Gohar Ali Gohar, highlighted sacrifices of Chicago … [Read more...]