QUETTA: Wapda workers hold protest rally in Quetta
By Our Correspondent
QUETTA, Dec 29: The Pakistan Wapda Hydro-electric Labour Union at a rally here on Wednesday demanded withdrawal of ordinance 2000, and rejected the proposed privatization of the institution and termination of employees.
Workers carrying placards, led by union's central vice-president Muhammad Ramzan Achakzai, assembled in front of the local press club and chanted slogans in favour of their demands.
Mr Achakzai, provincial union chairman Saeed Lehri and others condemned the ordinance 2000 that empowered the government to dismiss employees. The government should protect the rights of workers, they said.
They also demanded that the IRO 2002 should be revised in accordance to country's constitution and ILO conventions; the decision of withdrawing pension, gratuity and commutation be reversed; findings of the pay and commission committee be announced and salaries be raised according to price-hike.
The speakers criticized the government for what they said protecting the rights of exploiters at the cost of the working class. According to them, electricity was expensive due to Rs116 billion paid to the IPP management to appease the IMF.
They warned the government against taking anti-worker measures, saying that the workers played a vital role in the development of Wapda. After the rally, the demonstrators dispersed peacefully.
DEMAND: A farmers' convention held under the aegis of Balochistan Zamindar Association demanded that the government should waive off the loans extended to the farmers and announce a flat rate for power supply for agricultural needs.
Several resolutions were adopted demanding compensation for people of the drought-hit areas; waiver of loans; free installation of tube-wells and acceptance of demands and proposals forwarded by the association.
