HYDERABAD, Oct 30: The Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union (CBA) threatened to shut down power supply throughout Pakistan and observe tool down strike if problems of Wapda employees were not resolved.

The threat was issued by Central President of the Union Abdul Latif Nizamani and other union leaders during a rally of Hesco employees outside the press club, here on Tuesday. The CBA union had called to observe a protest day throughout the country to press the acceptance of demands.

These include conversion of Eid advance into bonus, repeal of Presidential Ordinance 2000 and the IRO 2002, and end to privatisation and bifurcation of Wapda into different companies.

Other demands were upgradation of all employees on the pattern of clerical staff and end to terrorism, lawlessness and price hike.

Abdul Latif Nizamani said Wapda employees will continue their struggle till the acceptance of demands.

He said a meeting was being held between the Union and federal minister for water and power in Islamabad today (Wednesday) and said if the government and the authority fail to accept the demands of employees, power supply to the entire country will be stopped and workers will opt tool down strike.

He said consumers steal electricity and Wapda employees accused of theft.

He made it clear that the union wanted to resolve all problems through negotiations and urged the government to accept genuine demands of employees to end unrest.

In Nawabshah, Wapda union staged a rally and a demonstration outside the press club.

Divisional Chairman of the Union, Fazal Mohammed Shaikh demanded conversion of half advance salary of Eid into bonus, withdrawal Ordinance 2000, and proposed privatisation of Wapda.

In Shikarpur union activists took out a rally from Hesco office to Lakhi Gate.

The rally was led by the Union’s Divisional Vice Chairman. Protesters also staged a demonstration.