THIS refers to the news item ‘Govt urged to resume industries inspection’ (Oct 13). It has rightly been pointed out by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of Child (Sparc) about age limit of children working in different factories. It has suggested the age between 16 and 18 years.

I failed to understand the ban on inspection of industries by industrialists for the last one decade. In my opinion, this is the main cause of increase in industrial accidents. This shows the apathy of the labour department of the Sindh government. It also reflects primarily that our industrialists are not safety-conscious. This trend must be controlled otherwise Baldia garment factory-like incidents can occur again. Nobody should be allowed to play with the lives of innocent workers.

Similarly, in the absence of such inspections many weaknesses have been detected as adequate firefighting facilities and exit passages do not exist.

I request the labour department of the Sindh government to come forward and play its due role so that safe industries can be ensured in the entire province as the same is equally applicable to labour departments of the other three provinces.

Lt-CDR (Rtd) RIAZ AKBAR
Wah Cantt