19 September 2004	Sunday	03 Shaban 1425

HARIPUR, Sept 18: As part of their countrywide protest against delay in the acceptance of their demands by PTCL authorities, the token strike by the telecom staff working at different telephone exchanges of Haripur, continued for the third consecutive day here on Saturday.

The workers wore black arm-bands to express their concern over what they said delaying tactics by the authorities concerned.

Speaking on this occasion Mr Mohammad Nazir, a central leader of PTCL employees union, said that since 1996 the PTCL authorities had not approved incentive package for the workers and the annual profit of corporation had risen to Rs 87 billion.

On the other hand he said that the employees of PIA and railway were drawing all the incentives to which a worker was entitled to.

He said when the workers of the PIA and railways who were always considered as loss inflicting public sector departments were drawing the incentives why the PTCL workers were deprived of their genuine right.

About incentive package known as package 2004, Mr Nazir said that the union had submitted its charter of demand some time back regarding appointment of employees sons, revision of medical policy, promotion of staff, but PTCL authorities had not yet approved this package, which ultimately prompted the workers to go on strike.

However, he threatened to carry on protest with changes in the mode of protest till the acceptance of their demands.