June 07, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 21, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 6: The Pakistan Telecom Employees Union (CBA) has said that the management of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) would honour the mutual agreement on the proposed Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) to be offered to the company’s employees.

According to the agreement between the CBA and administration, no worker would be forced on premature retirement, states an official announcement issued by the union after holding a meeting with the PTCL management here on Wednesday.

The CBA’s Central Secretary General, Rana Muhammad Tahir, presided over the meeting.

Earlier, Rana Muhammad Tahir briefed the workers about the privileges provided to them on behalf of the administration. He also strongly criticised the elements who wanted to polish their business by creating fear among the workers about the VSS.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Tahir said that the VSS would be offered to all the employees. It is upto them to accept the offer or reject it outright. They would be given two months to decide either way and then apply for retirement under VSS. “The management would decide to reject or accept any VSS application,” he observed.

He said the management had assured the CBA that the agreement would be followed in letter and spirit and according to agreement no one could be forced to get retirement from PTCL under the VSS.—Staff Reporter