KARACHI: The country`s biggest industrial complex Sind Industrial Trading Estate (SIT E) came to a standstill yesterday [Jan 5] when over 20,000 workers belonging to about two dozen industries struck work and `gheraoed` their respective top bosses for fulfilment of their `just and genuine` demands.

Appeals by leaders of the ruling People`s Party did not wholly succeed in [restraining] the workers from the `Gherao` tactics which they thought was the only way to get their demands accepted.

Their main demands were: reinstatement of retrenched workers, increase in salary, full medical facilities and grant of two and a half percent sharein proht.

According to a conservative estimate, about 45,000 workers have been retrenched in Karachi alone under proclamation of Martial Law by Yahya Khan`s regime. The labour situation in Karachi deteriorated due to the inactivity of the previous Government while the managements continued their retrenchment policy. . Newspaper`s staff correspondent [Meanwhile, as reported by the newspaper`s staff correspondent from Rawalpindi] There were strong rumours here today [Jan 5] that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman may leave for East Pakistan sooner than expected before noon tomorrow by a special United Nations plane.