HYDERABAD: 3,000 industrial units closed due to energy crisis: union leader
HYDERABAD, Feb 7: Closure of 3,000 industrial units because of acute power and gas shortage has rendered jobless tens of thousands of workers, said Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union (CBA) President Abdul Latif Nizamani.
He held the government responsible for power crisis as its unrealistic policies failed to add even a single megawatt to national grid system in the last eight years.
Nizamani addressing Hesco employees at Labour Hall, Gari Khata on Thursday said rampant unemployment gives rise to economic and social problems along with scaling suicide incidents. The government, he said should take notice of the situation by formulating comprehensive power and gas policy.
He stressed on meeting growing industrial and domestic power demand by producing energy from nuclear, windmills, solar and hydel projects.
Regarding soaring prices, he demanded of the government to take effective measures for reducing the price of flour, sugar, ghee, electricity, vegetables and other essential items. He also demanded increase in wages in proportion to inflation.
He told the workers to help in bringing down line losses and expedite recovery of dues. He reminded that despite losses to Wapda, special Eid allowance to its workers was approved by the efforts of the CBA and commercial assistants granted scale-14. A large number of Hesco employees attended the meeting.
DIAGNOSTIC LAB: Vice Chancellor Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro, Prof Noshad Ahmed Shaikh on Wednesday inaugurated the extension project of Diagnostic Research Laboratory at the Civil Hospital Hyderabad.
He said latest machines have been installed at the laboratory to facilitate people of Hyderabad and interior Sindh.
He said rates of various tests in this lab were much below the rates of Aga Khan University laboratory and other modern laboratories in Karachi. He said now even the DNA test could be conducted here.
He said Hepatitis-B and C were on the increase in all districts of interior Sindh and announced free testing for deserving people from Baitul Maal and Zakat funds. He said under Prime Minister’s program hepatitis tests were conducted at nominal rates at the molecular laboratory of the university.
To a question, he answered that as far as bird flu was concerned, no such case had been reported in Hyderabad so far. He, however, said the Health and Animal Husbandry departments were seized of this issue. Nevertheless, in case of need, LUMHS will certainly offer its services, the vice chancellor said.
He also distributed cash awards and certificates among the laboratory staff, which was working round the clock.