Gap analysis of the factories act, 1934 (chapter III&IV) in selected manufacturing industries of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan (P-0774) (MFN 3653)

Abstract

Pakistan is located in South Asia also known as ‘third-world’ region in the world. South Asian countries; India Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are Asia’s emerging economies. Occupational accident and disease issue is one of the challenges due to poor working conditions. In countries like Pakistan, industries face multiple challenges e.g. power cuts, expensive fuel and transportation, outdated technology, lack of skilled workforce and competition with other industries. Unfortunately, law enforcement is very ineffective in the region including Pakistan which makes the situation worse as factory owners have nothing to worry about the punishment for breaking laws. This study has been conducted to discover safety law compliance in manufacturing industries. Three different industries from Islamabad-Rawalpindi region (also known as ‘twin cities’) were selected. Factories Act, 1934 was chosen as reference law which provides basic safety guidelines for factory workers. The study findings revealed very poor compliance with safety rules in two (out of three) industries. Good work safety practice observed in one of the industries as the industry is exporting its products to EU countries requiring international certifications including OHS system. Inadequate signage, absence of work safety protocols, no emergency evacuation and fire safety, poor lighting, unguarded machines, high temperature and noise, hygiene problems and inappropriate PPEs are some of the critical OHS problems in the industries. The situation is like a disaster waiting to happen in most of the industries which is mainly due to poor factory inspection system failed to enforce the basic laws. It is recommended that the government should improve industrial safety law enforcement, promote OHS in public, make workers’ occupational health and accidental insurance necessary, certify industrial mechanics and include OHS in local building codes.