Faisalabad factory accident: Trade unions, civil society express profound sorrow

KARACHI: Trade Union, Civil Society, and Labour Support organisations expressed their profound sorrow and grief over the tragic boiler blast at a glue-making factory in Faisalabad, which has reportedly claimed 17 precious lives and left many severely injured.

They said these are not just 17 individuals, but 17 families whose lives have been irreparably shattered. We stand in solidarity with the families who have lost their loved ones and with all those who are recovering from injuries. This heartbreaking incident is yet another reminder of the urgent need to prioritize workers’ safety in Pakistan’s industrial sector.

Such accidents are not mere “incidents” but preventable tragedies that result from systemic negligence. It is an alarming reality that a majority of factories do not register their workers with social security institutions. When such incidents occur, the absence of social protection further burdens workers and their families, leaving them without the financial and medical support they desperately need during crises.

We reiterate that ensuring a safe and healthy workplace is the legal and moral responsibility of their employers. Factories must comply with all relevant occupational safety and health laws, including mandatory boiler inspections, preventive maintenance, and regular risk assessments. Workers must never be forced to labour in hazardous environments where their lives are at constant risk.

We call upon the authorities to conduct a transparent investigation, fix responsibility, and take immediate measures to prevent such disasters from recurring. Strengthening labour inspection systems, ensuring compulsory worker registration with social security institutions, holding negligent employers accountable, and promoting workers’ participation in workplace safety committees are essential steps in this direction.

We stand with the affected families and calls for justice, accountability, and lasting reform to make workplaces in Pakistan safe and dignified for all, they said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025