LAHORE, Jan 28: The Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union has stressed the need for ensuring provision of safety gear to the line staff and steps for ensuring its use for controlling fatal accidents at work.

Speaking at a safety seminar held at the Lesco Fifth Circle Defence Colony ground here on Friday, Union secretary-general Khurshid Ahmed said that promotion of safety culture was the need of the hour as 35 linemen had been electrocuted while maintaining the electricity lines during the past few months.

He also demanded payment of overtime to the line staff for working on holidays or remaining on duty for more than eight hours in a day. Lesco SE Sher Alam also attended the seminar which concluded by offering prayers for Amar Sidhu sub-division assistant lineman Jamil Pehlwan electrocuted a few days back.