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In a letter of condolences to Zahoor Awan, General Secretary, Pakistan Workers' Federation (PWF), the TUC expresses shock and sorrow at the disaster and joins the international trade union movement in demanding an independent and impartial inquiry and justice for victims.

Mr Zahoor Awan

General Secretary

Pakistan Workers' Federation

Bakhtiar Labour Hall,
28 - Nisbet Road,
Lahore,
Pakistan

Dear Zahoor

Deaths of Workers in Factory Fires

On behalf of the TUC General Council, I write to express our shock and sorrow at the tragic deaths of some 300 workers in the two factory fires in Karachi and Lahore and condemn in the strongest terms those responsible for the unprecedented disaster through their crass disregard for health and safety at the workplace.

We understand that the workers trapped inside the buildings without fire exits had little time or opportunity to escape and that many jumped to their deaths or sustained serious injuries in their attempts to flee the inferno.

The TUC joins the international trade union movement in demanding an independent and impartial investigation into this tragedy which will enable the authorities to bring those responsible for it to justice without delay.

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy and I should be grateful if you would kindly pass our deeply felt condolences on to them.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary

Briefing document (300 words) issued 13 Sep 2012