HYDERABAD: Workers of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and power distribution companies (Discos) took out rallies and held demonstrations after putting locks on offices across the province on Wednesday in protest against government plans to privatise Wapda and other Discos.

The call for protest was given by the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union.

In Hyderabad, a large number of union workers took out a rally in protest against privatisation of national institutions, including Wapda and others, and warned if the government did not change its plan, then workers from across the country would gather in Islamabad on March 11 to stage a massive protest to force the government change its privatisation policy.

Almost all workers except for emergency units of Wapda boycotted work in all offices in Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Matiari and Jamshoro and participated in the rally, while some workers of Wapda also blocked the National Highway near Bhitshah for a while.

The union’s president Abdul Latif Nizamani and other leaders said the government should immediately cancel its plans for privatisation and said they would leave for Islamabad on March 9 to take part in the massive demonstration on March 11.

Larkana

A large number of workers affiliated with Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union observed pen-down strike and put locks on offices before taking out a rally which terminated at the main gate of Jinnahbagh.

The protesters’ leaders slammed the government plans to sell off power houses and urged it to review its policy on privatisation.

Sanghar

Members of Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union took out rallies across the district against the government’s plans for privatisation of Wapda. They said that Wapda was a profit-making entity and its privatisation was unjustifiable and unacceptable.

Nawabshah

A large number of Wapda workers took out a rally and held a demonstration outside the local press club against planned privatisation of Wapda.

The protesters’ leaders said the government was planning to privatise national assets under pressure of the World Bank and the IMF. It was an anti-labour decision and they would never allow it, they warned.

Khairpur

Employees of Wapda and Sepco observed pen-down strike and then took out a procession from Wapda old powerhouse, which marched to the local press club where the protesters held a demonstration.

Labour leaders said that they would never allow privatisation of Wapda.

Sukkur

Employees of Sepco observed pen and tool down strike in Sukkur, Ghotki, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Jacobabad in protest against planned privatisation of Wapda and other power distribution companies.

In Sukkur, leaders of All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union said in speeches at a rally taken out by Sepco employees that PML-N government always took decisions against workers’ interests.

In Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Thull and Kandhkot Sepco workers locked offices, held demonstrations, staged sit-ins, hoisted black flags on offices and wore black armbands in protest against the privatisation of Wapda.

Mirpurkhas

Hundreds of workers and office-bearers of Hydro union took out a rally in which the leaders warned that if the government did not cancel its plans to privatise Wapda then the workers would suspend electricity supply to the entire country.