LAHORE:The workers observed ‘Protest Day’ under the aegis of the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union across the country. Hundreds of workers from Lesco and Wapda held a protest rally in front of the Lahore Press Club, led by Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary of the Union.
Addressing the workers, veteran trade union leader Khurshid Ahmed demanded the government cancel the agreements to purchase expensive electricity from IPPs and instead increase the production of affordable hydropower. He also demanded increase in salaries and pensions of employees in government, semi-government, private industries, factories and media according to price-hike of essential commodities and set minimum wages at Rs60,000 and old-age pension at Rs40,000per month.
A strong demand was made to lift the ban imposed on recruitment for last nine years in the electricity sector, which has forced existing staff to perform double duty, leading to a rise in accidents among line staff. He stressed that all electricity companies must implement safety measures and provide proper equipment to improve performance and prevent fatal accidents during work. Recruitment of line staff would reduce the workload on current employees. He stated that instead of following IMF demands, the government should prevent privatisation of profitable electricity companies in the public and national interest.
