Labour Teams Inspect Industrial and Commercial Units
The Labour Welfare Department in Gujarat conducted a new round of inspections at brick kilns, factories, and commercial units. Officials aimed to check how workplaces treat their workers and whether employers follow the law. After completing the survey, the department highlighted several concerns and issued notices to the units that broke labour regulations.
District Officer Labour Muhammad Idrees Gujar said his teams inspected 15 establishments across the district. Inspectors found that only three workplaces met the legal requirements. The rest failed to follow several key rules. He also confirmed that the teams did not find a single case of child labour during this round of checks. This outcome encouraged the officials because brick kilns and small workshops often face scrutiny for involving underage workers.
Inspectors Identify Gaps in Safety Measures
During the survey, inspection teams pointed out safety and health shortcomings at four establishments. They issued advisory notices under OSH — Occupational Safety and Health standards. These advisories direct employers to improve conditions such as ventilation, emergency exits, and protective equipment. Although the notices do not start legal action, they place responsibility on the management to fix the problems within the given timeframe.
Inspectors also found several broader violations at seven establishments. Workers in these units struggled with low safety measures, unclear contracts, and a lack of legal benefits. Some employers failed to ensure weekly holidays, proper rest breaks, or access to safety kits. These gaps can raise the risk of injuries and hamper the workers’ well-being.
Experts who track workplace safety in Pakistan note that thousands of workers suffer injuries every year because many small industries ignore safety rules. Unsafe machinery, chemical exposure, and fire hazards remain common issues. The problems that inspectors found in Gujarat fit this wider national pattern.
Child Labour Absent From All Inspected Sites
Officials highlighted the absence of child labour as a major positive sign. Pakistan still faces a huge challenge in preventing children from entering hazardous work, especially in informal sectors. International agencies estimate that millions of children work in difficult environments throughout the country.
Brick kilns in particular have long drawn criticism for underage labour. Because of this history, inspectors in Gujarat paid special attention to potential violations. The clean results, according to officials, reflect stronger monitoring and increased awareness within the community. They also pointed to recent campaigns that encourage parents and employers to keep children out of dangerous work.
Authorities Plan More Frequent Checks
The Labour Welfare Department plans to expand these inspections in the coming months. Officials want to build a system where employers follow the law not only during surprise checks but throughout the year. For this reason, the department now contacts employers regularly and encourages them to upgrade safety measures before inspectors arrive.
The department also warned that repeat offenders will face legal penalties. These penalties can include fines, corrective orders, or even temporary closures. Officials believe that strict enforcement helps protect workers and creates fair competition among businesses that invest in better working conditions.
Improving Workplace Standards Through Collaboration
Labour rights advocates argue that better cooperation between government, employers, and workers can raise standards across the district. Many workers in low-income sectors still deal with long hours, delayed wages, or unsafe equipment. Strong inspections can reduce these problems, but long-term improvement requires training and awareness.
The Labour Welfare Department hopes to work more closely with labour unions and employers’ associations. Officials want to promote training sessions on safety, legal rights, and basic workplace standards. They believe that informed workers and responsible employers can create safer spaces without relying only on enforcement.
As these efforts move forward, the department aims to ensure that every labourer in Gujarat can work in an environment that offers safety, dignity, and fairness.
