The local trade union at the Gadani shipbreaking area in Pakistan has warned its members will strike from the middle of next month unless management and government improve health and safety conditions and regulations. The union has also asked for pay increases.
On November 1 last year, 26 workers were killed and dozens others injured when a decommissioned tanker caught fire during the dismantling process. Since then there have been a host of other accidents at the shipbreaking facility laying bare the dire working conditions at the yard.
Unions claim that despite verbal assurances there have been no proper improvement in the health and safety set up in the area.
