July 29, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 25, 1429

NAWABSHAH, July 28: Members of Irrigation Workers Union of Rohri Circle ended protest against irrigation authorities’ refusal to provide jobs under quota for the children of deceased and retired employees after talks with chief engineer of Sukkur Barrage here on Monday.

The secretary of irrigation directed the chief engineer and superintending engineer of Rohri Circle through a communication that they should negotiate with the striking staff and inform them that quota in jobs for the sons of the deceased employees was intact and they would get the job.

The quota for the disabled fixed by the government would also be followed but there was no quota for the retired employees. The staff should be informed that the strike risked the safety of canals and be convinced to resume duty, the message said.

It advised the officials to move all the officers and staff to the canals and arrange regulation and patrolling on canals. The secretary directed to put Abkalani staff on job and if needed, obtain more staff from the DCO.

The chief engineer Haroon Memon visited the hunger strikers’ camp opposite the press club and held negotiations with the protesters. He listened to their grievances and conveyed secretary’s message after which the protesters ended strike.