LAHORE: All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union General Secretary Khurshid Ahmad, in a press statement, said that according to some media reports power sector union activities like the strike had been banned by the caretaker government and clarified that the employees could carry out lawful trade union activities guaranteed under Article 17 of the Constitution as fundamental right of trade unions.

He said it would not be of place to inform that the employees in the Discos had been performing their duties for prevention of electricity theft and recovery of revenue without observing weekly holidays at the risk of their health.

He drew the attention of the government that it had ratified ILO Convention No 87, which guarantees the fundamental rights of freedom of association.

Pakistan has also entered into an agreement with the European Union to guarantee the right of freedom of association of the workers.

Mr Khurshid demanded the government not to privatise national electricity companies in the wider public interest.

He also pointed out that the privatisation of Thermal Generation has also miserably failed.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2024