March 13, 2006	Monday	Safar 12, 1427

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TOBA TEK SINGH, March 12: The Pakistan Irrigation Employees Union has expressed concern over the Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority’s decision to retrench hundreds of irrigation department employees from July 1.

At a press conference held here on Sunday, union leader Allah Bakhsh Sial said that a PIEU meeting voiced resentment over the decision taken by the World Bank-funded PIDA to remove a large number of department employees in at least five irrigation circles, out of total 21 in the province, which had been taken over by the authority from the department.

Mr Sial condemned the decision and warned that the union would launch a drive against the government if the decision was not revoked immediately. He said the meeting termed the decision economic murder of the poor employees.

The union also decided to invite the All Pakistan Clerks Association and Revenue United Employees Union to its next meeting to be held in Faisalabad to consider future line of action regarding the proposed protest movement.

He stated that according to the PIDA’s retrenchment list, in Faisalabad circle 1,016 out of total 2,141 employees would be sacked, which including two deputy collectors, 40 zilladars, 23 sub-engineers, two accounts clerks, two assessment clerks, 16 vernacular clerks, four apprentice signallers, two linemen, 18 signallers, 681 patwaris, 15 assistant clerks, seven malis, 178 beldars, 39 bullcokmen, 35 dak runners, 28 mali chowkidars and 40 naib qasids.

The meeting was presided over by union’s central president Sharif Khan. Union office-bearers Abdul Rehman Assi, Tahir Mahmood, Mushtaq Ahmad and Soofi Afzal also spoke.