Sindh Labour Department has not collected data of running and closed factories, industrial and commercial establishments, shops, number of registered labourers and trade unions, Business Recorder learnt on Monday. Although it is the responsibility of Research and Statistics department of Directorate of Labour to collect and compile data but it has failed.
The offices of Directorate of Labour were established in Sindh government's barracks situated in front of Sindh Assembly building. This section comprises total 7 staff including an assistant director, a statistical officer, a survey officer, a senior clerk, two stenographers and a peon.
When this scribe visited the offices of research and statistics department for getting current data of registered factories, outlets and labourers, an officer told with condition of anonymity that data was not updated because of shortage of staff and required facilities.
He said that there was severe shortage of staff. There were 17 members of staff about five years ago but so far there were only 7 people working in department therefore data was not updated about big and small factories, banks, clubs, hotels, cinemas, shops, public entertainment business houses, number of registered labourers and etc. He said that they had reminded in written and verbally to the authorities concerned for recruitment of new staff on vacant positions many times but no decision had been taken as yet.
He further said that research and statistics department had no single computer, internet and other relevant facilities which were necessary for research and data compilation. "We have written many times about the lack of facilities but no steps were taken," he added.