PESHAWAR: All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter) has announced a series of province-wide protests from December 16 for solution to their issues.

According to a satatement issued here on Thursday, the employee’s demands include delay in recruitment and against proposed privatisation of Wapda. The union’s spokesperson Gohar Ali Gohar outlined key grievances, including the misinterpretation of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Discos, the failure to regularise assistant linemen, and the suspension of marriage grants and scholarships.

Workers are also concerned about delay in the formation of the promotion and upgradation board, the removal of Saturdays and Sundays as government holidays, and forced labour practices.

Additional issues raised by the union include job insecurity, stagnant wages for part-time employees, and non-transfer of important benefits such as the GP Fund, Group Life Insurance, and Workers Welfare Fund to company levels.

The union also highlighted concerns about outdated vehicles, fuel supply suspensions, and the delayed promotion of diploma-holder meter readers. Furthermore, the lack of a pension fund for the newly-recruited staff on fixed salaries has been a point of contention.

Provincial secretary Noorul Amin Haiderzai, in coordination with the union leadership, has finalized the schedule for the first phase of protests. These will take place at various locations, including Bannu Circle (Dec 16, 2024), Dera Ismail Khan (Dec 17), Khyber Circle (Dec 19), Hazara-1 Circle (Dec 23), Hazara-2 Circle (Dec 24), Peshawar (Dec 26), Mardan (Dec 30), Swabi (Dec 31), Swat Circle (Jan 2, 2025), GSC, PD Construction, and GSO Circle in Pesco Peshawar (Jan 6, 2025), and Fata Circle (Jan 8, 2025).

The protests will culminate in a sit-in at the Pesco Headquarters on Shami Road, Peshawar, on Jan 14, 2025. The sit-in will continue until the union’s demands are met, with thousands of workers expected to participate.

The union has formally notified the relevant authorities about the planned protests and made it clear that they will continue their actions until their issues are addressed.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2024