Salary increment: Powerloom units remain closed as labourers continue their strike

Most of the powerloom units remain closed in industrial areas on Wednesday because labourers continued strike on second consecutive day because they want 17 percent raise in their wages. Police have registered cases against more than 2,000 protestors for burning and ransacking five weaving factories and creating law and order by attacking policemen and burning motorcycles and a car in Sidhar, Qadirabad, Faizabad and other industrial areas during yesterday's protests.
Police contingents are patrolling in the affected area, however, over all situations remained under control and no untoward incident was reported on second day. Meanwhile, the negotiations are under way between Powerloom owners, labour leaders and district administration at DCO office, where strict security measures have been adopted.
Police sources stated that more than 70 persons have been released from various police stations, however, presidents of four units of Labour Qaumi Movement, Malik Fazal Ellahi, Akbar Ali Kamboh, Rana Riaz Ahmad and Master Babar Hussain remained in police custody at police station Theekrewala. Police admitted that the cases have been registered in various police station, however, no further action be taken till the finalisation of the negotiation between concerned parties.
Talking to newsmen, Mian Abdul Qayyum, Chief of Labour Qaumi Movement said that the negotiation were under way at DCO office, however, the strike of powerloom workers would continue till acceptance of their demands. He confirmed that the arrested 70 persons have been released on the order of DCO Faisalabad and powerloom workers have postponed the demonstration till the outcome of the negotiation. He mentioned that more than one dozen persons were admit in various hospitals and all injured persons were reported to be out of danger.