HYDERABAD: Power utility workers across Sindh observed a strike and held rallies and demonstrations at and outside their workplaces in response to the All Pakistan Wapda Hydero Electric Workers Union (CBA) call for against the ongoing process of privatising power utilities on Wednesday.

In Hyderabad, workers locked their offices and workshops to join a rally held outside the local press club. The rally was led by CBA president Abdul Latif Nizamani, provincial general secretary Iqbal Kaimkhani, Azam Khan, Iqbal Ahmed Khan and others.

Speaking to the participants, Mr Nizamani alleged that blue-eyed boys were being obliged in the name of privatisation.

Joblessness was already on the rise due to the unbridled wave of terrorism, he said, adding that privatisation of national assets would only further aggravate the unemployment problem.

He claimed that the privatisation policy was being pursued under the dictates of IMF for loans. Instead, national institutions should be modernised and closed power houses revitalised to overcome economic and energy crises, he suggested.

Demanding protection of all due rights workers of power utilities, Mr Nizamani highlighted a set of proposals for the safety and security of workers and proper functioning of their companies. The proposals included provision of fringe benefits to the workers.

Employees of the Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) observed a pen-down and tool-down strike across its region — from Kashmore to Naushahro Feroze districts — on Wednesday in response to the CBA’s call.

Hundreds of Sepco employees posted at its offices, workshops and installations in Sukkur, old Sukkur, Mirpur Mathelo, Daharki, Khan­pur Mahar, Ghotki, Pannu Aqil, Khairpur, Luqman, Gambat, Rani­pur, Kotdiji, Setharja, Rohri, Sale­h­pat, SITE left their workplaces and travelled to the company’s headquarters in scores of caravans to join in a big rally organised on the old Thermal Power House in Sukkur.

Routine work at all Sepco offices and workshops remained suspended throughout the day as they were locked by the employees.

Sepco workers belonging to its Larkana circle also locked their workplaces in Larkana city, Jacob­abad, Shikarpur, Thull, Garhi Khero, Tangwani, Ghouspur, Kan­d­h­kot, Kashmore, Qamber, Moro, Naushahro Feroze and other towns.

Labour leaders including Wali Mohammed Laghari, Syed Zahid Hussain Shah, Abdul Haleem Akhund and Riaz Ahmed Lashari spoke to the protesting workers at the old Tharmal Power rally and resolved to strongly resist all moves to privatise power utilities.

They warned of “extreme action” if the government did not reverse its decision, saying that suspension of power supply to consumers across country could be the option if the decision was imposed on them.

Led by labour leader Khalid Chandio, Sepco workers took out a rally after locking their offices in Larkana district and held a demonstration and sit-in outside the main gate of Jinnah Bagh in Larkana city to join in the protest.

Carrying banners and raising slogans against the privatisation policy they burnt tyres to express their disapproval of the decision to denationalise power utilities.

Speaking to them, Mr Chandio said the government’s anti-labour policy was aimed at benefiting the rich and squeezing the poor. They said it would devastate the lower class in terms of unemployment and badly affect every citizen because of resultant increase in the power tariff.

A similar rally was taken out in Khairpur by Sepco workers who did not attend their their duties in Ranipur, Kot Diji, Gambat, Faiz Ganj and other towns of the district.

Wali Mohammed Leghari, Zahid Shah, Tarique Awan and Attaullah Shah Bukhari spoke to the participants and vowed to continue the street protest every week until the government reversed its decision.

In Mirpurkhas, several hundreds power utility workers led by Akbar Khan Leghari and Malik Abdul Karim held a rally and sit-in outside the local press club.

The main Mirpurkhas-Hyder­abad Road remained blocked for several hours due to the sit-in. They expressed their full support to the CBA in its struggle against privatisation of power utilities.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2015

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