Hazardous workplace: Factory attacked after four faint from gas leak

Police baton charge, teargas protesters.

FAISALABAD:

Some 100 people attacked a hosiery factory on Judgewala Road on Wednesday over the factory management’s alleged failure to stop continuous leak of poisonous gas.

The protesting mob, including factory workers and residents of the Madinabad area, attacked the factory after four workers fainted from inhaling the poisonous gas on Wednesday followed by a fire in a section of the factory. A boiler also exploded.

A Rescue 1122 team reached the scene and put out the fire in a couple of hours. No deaths were reported. The affected workers were taken to Allied Hospital, where doctors treating them said they would survive.

Meanwhile, a number of area residents gathered outside to protest against the factory management. Some protesters entered the office and broke some furniture and damaged other property. Those outside pelted the building with stones and broke windows. They also chanted slogans against the factory owners demanding that the factory be shifted away from the residential area.

The management called the police, who were unable to calm the mob. The hide and seek between the mob and the police continued for more than four hours. The protesters, who had managed to get inside the factory, had locked the doors, but policemen broke in. They baton charged and teargassed to break the protest.

Police said two of the managers have been taken into custody for investigation, but would not reveal their identity.

District Coordination Officer Naseem Sadiq and a team of Civil Defence workers also reached the factory. Sadiq assured the protesters there would be an inquiry into the matter. He said strict action would be taken against those found guilty. He also announced a three-member technical team to probe the incident.

Some residents of the area told The Express Tribune that they had already complained to the management about the leaking gas. They said the leak had led to severe breathing problems for the residents. They said the factory had become a nuisance for the residents.

Muhammad Waris, a senior citizen living in the area, alleged that the city administration officers concerned were PO: District Coordination Officer Naseem Sadiq announced a three-member technical team to probe the incident getting illegal gratification from the factory owners. The officers, he said, had been protecting the owners for quite some time. “The gas leak is a routine. Several children and grown ups in the neighbourhood have developed breathing problems due to it,” he said.

He said despite their complaints, the Environmental Protection Agency and Industries Department had taken no actions.

Sakina Bibi, who works at the factory, said she said she was the only earning person in her family and had no other option but to work at the factory.

“But that does not mean the management should ignore our safety,” she said. She also demanded the factory be shifted from the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2012.