Power looms laborers protest in Faisalabad

FAISALABAD: Faisalabad is witnessing strike today on appeal by Labor Qaumi Movement to demand the raise in wages, Geo News reported Tuesday. The laborers of power looms initiated strike this morning with strong protests as the deadline for wages raise came to end today. In Sadhaar area of the city, the laborers clashed with factory guards in bid to get the factory shut down. Later on, a factory, motorbike and a car were set on fire. In the meantime, various incidents of clashes between power looms laborers, factory owners and police personnel, took place in several areas, where people including factory owners were injured. The efforts are afoot with shelling to break up the crowds of laborers. Also, various people have been arrested during this while. Council of Looms Owners Chairman Waheed called an emergency meeting of power looms owners to mull over the present situation. The laborers demand 17 percent hike in their wages. Contrarily, the owners said it is impossible for them to raise their wages in view of load shedding and raise in prices of raw materials.