KARACHI, Sept 2: Workers of Pakistan Steel have demanded that all those workers of the mills who have been sacked recently by the management be reinstated immediately.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the representatives of Pakistan Steel employees demanded that the Pakistan Steel Fabricating Company Ltd (PSFCL) be merged with the steel mills and its workers be given similar benefits, facilities, salary etc as were being given to the steel mills employees.

They said though the board of the steel mills had already decided on the merger, the decision was not being implemented.

They also announced that the Organization of Pakistan Steel Officers (TOPSS) was coming out of an alliance that had been formed by the workers and officers of the steel mills a few months back to solve the issues. They said since steps were being taken to solve these issues, so there was no need for the TOPSS to remain in the alliance.

They also criticised the recent change in the gratuity facility and demanded that gratuity be given according the old system.

They said that the mills has repaid over Rs 4.68 billion of loan in the past couple of years to the banks but the mark-up being demanded on the loans should not be paid to the banks and that amount be used on the repairs, and capital repairs of various plants, which had become over-due.

Pointing out that so far the accountability of only the low- grade employees had been done, they demanded that the dealers and suppliers be also subjected to accountability process.

They also urged the government to review and enhance the customs, taxes, and other import duties on the imported goods so that the imported material was not cheaper than the Pakistan Steel products, otherwise the steel mills would continue to face financial difficulties.

Pasha Ahmad Gul and Haji Khan Lashari of the Organization of Pakistan Steel Officers (TOPSS) spoke at the press conference while Nazim Larik of Junior Officers Association, Safdar Parwaz of PSFCL Officers Association and others attended to show solidarity.