Pakistan: Power employees stage protest for salary hike

Electricity sector employees staged a protest to demand a rise in their wages in Lahore, Pakistan, on Wednesday. Carrying national and workers’ rights flags, employees protested under the banner of the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union (CBA). 

Employees from government, semi-government, public, and private sectors participated in the protests calling on the Centre to increase their wages, similar to the salary increase granted to parliamentarians, as per reports.

They also called on the government to halt pension cuts, urging the authorities to address various workplace safety concerns. The non-recruitment of workers for almost seven years was also a pressing matter raised by the protesting workers as it has resulted in the increase of burden on existing staff. They also opposed a cut in the pension of government employees.

Several union leaders, including Abdul Latif Nizamani and other senior representatives, also participated in the rally, highlighting the need to protect workers’ rights and freedom of association.

They also paid tribute to workers who lost their lives on duty, honoring the sacrifices of national security forces.

Similar rallies were organized by power workers last year in Pakistan. During one such meet, IndustriALL affiliate, All Pakistan WAPDA Hydro Electric Workers Union (APWHEWU) general secretary, Khurshid Ahmed, had said:

“Electricity workers are risking their lives to provide electricity across the country and they should not work in unsafe conditions. Pakistan has witnessed a massive rise in electricity work, but the sector faces serious shortage of staff due to the government-imposed ban on recruitment of new staff, and retired staff are not replaced. The Ministry of Energy should fill the vacant posts. We also demand an end to the contract and daily workers system and instead make them regular workers, in both public and private companies. This would go a long way in improving safety.”

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