ISLAMABAD: A large number of government, semi-government and private sector employees held a protest rally on Tuesday demanding check on prices of essential commodities and demanded raise in wages and pensions in the forthcoming budget.

The protest was organised by the All Pakistan Workers Confederation (APWC) outside the National Press Club.

Addressing the protesting workers, APWC leaders regretted that prices of essential commodities had been rising on a regular basis making it difficult for workers and other people to make both ends meet.

They asked both the federal and provincial governments to take necessary measures to reverse the trend.

They urged the prime minister and adviser on finance to raise wages, pensions and allowances of the workers at least by 50pc in the budget 2018-19.

They noted that the government had already raised emoluments of the legislators by 150pc but ignored workers.

Other demands include regularisation of contractual employees services and daily wagers.

Minimum wages be raised to Rs30,000 and EOBI pension be fixed at Rs15,000 per month.

Veteran trade unionist and general secretary of the Confederation Khurshid Ahmad stressed on accepting just demands of the workers otherwise they would be compelled to launch a movement for their rights.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2018