KOHAT, June 18: At least 34 regular employees of the Kohat Cement, who refused to accept the company’s golden handshake offer, on Monday staged a protest, demanding their immediate reinstatement.

Former president and secretary-general of the workers’ association of the company — Zulfiqar and Lal Badshah, who are among the affectees — said the management could not force them to quit their jobs under the labour laws.

“Employees have the option to accept or reject the golden handshake offer and the company cannot compel them to leave their jobs,” they said, adding that they would take legal action against the company’s management.

The president of the workers’ association said the company had offered a ‘golden handshake’ to 40 of its regular employees. He added that six of the workers had accepted the offer while 34 others had refused, adding that they wanted to continue their jobs.—Correspondent