ISLAMABAD: Employees of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) will stage a protest against the apparent move by the government to shut down outlets across the country.

CBA Union of USC Chairman Syed Arif Hussain made the announcement during a meeting on Saturday.

The demonstration and shutterdown of all the USC stores will be observed on Monday.

The members of the union noted that Abdul Razzaq Daud, adviser to the prime minister on industries, was following in the steps of former finance minister Ishaq Dar, and wanted to shut down the stores in the name of reforms.

“This is not only a serious issue for around 14,000 employees of the USC but also a matter of concern for the citizens who would be left at the mercy of retailers,” Mr Hussain said. He said the adviser to PM did not even meet the CBA delegation to discuss the matter.

The meeting noted that the attitude of the new government had left the ‘union’ without any option but to hold a protest.

The union demanded the government install a competent officer as the managing director of the USC and clear its arrears so that the USC could come out of the financial crunch.

The union also demanded a bailout package for the USC and implementation of the April 2018 agreement between the CBA and USC management.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2018