Action sought against factory owner, inspectors

AWP demands resignation from labour minister, says he has failed to take action over violations of safety standards

LAHORE: An Awami Workers’ Party (AWP) delegation’s visit to the factory on Haidri Road, Burki, and interviews with workers shows that Monday night’s fuel tank explosion that killed five people was caused by criminal negligence of the factory owner, said a press statement issued on Tuesday.

It said the owner, Mian Waheed, had insisted that workers make a hole in the base of the tank using gas-powered welding equipment, while it was partially filled with oil. “There were two other tanks full to capacity in the vicinity. The tanks exploded as oil caught fire,” it said. It noted that the owner had fled the scene rather than participating in the rescue effort.

The statement condemned the Labour Department for its failure to enforce workplace safety standards at industrial units in the province.

The AWP demanded immediate arrest of the factory owner and termination from service of labour inspectors in charge of the area. It also demanded that the labour minister immediately tender his resignation over the failure of his department to take action over workplace accidents.

The statement asked the provincial government to announce Rs3 million compensation for the families of deceased workers and Rs1 million for each of the injured.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2015.