Pesco workers protest against privatization

F.P. Report

TIMERGARA: The employees of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) in Lower Dir on Wednesday took to the streets against the government’s privatization plan and avoiding their sons’ quota in recruitment. On the call of All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union, the employees boycotted their duties and locked up offices in the district. The workers also staged a protest rally at Timergara sub division office. The Pesco workers from all sub divisions attended the demonstration. They wore black arm bands and also hoisted black flag on the office as protest against the government.

Speaking on the occasion divisional chairman Yousaf Khan, Maidan sub divisional chairman Nasr ud Din, Timergara sub divisional chairman Gul Zada, Talash sub divisional chairman Sher Zamin, RO office chairman Khan Shehzada and others said the workers would not let the government to privatize the most profitable institution of the country.

They said that 70 per cent of the total posts in the company had been vacant for years either to workers’ deaths or retirement but their sons had not been recruited on quota for them. The speakers also complained about delay in pension payment to retired employees. They also demanded “Shaheed” package for Pesco workers who had died during the duty. They said that Wapda had been the most profitable institution but its workers had been paid lesser than other government employees despite their hard job. The Pesco workers said they would continue the protest till acceptance of their demands.

The Pesco workers of Chakdara sub division also boycotted their duties and held a protest rally at Chakdara which was addressed by sub divisional chairman Fazal Kabir, vice chairman Hussain Shah, Ghani Rehman and others. They demanded immediate recruitment on all vacant posts, early payment of pension to retired employees and special allowance for meter readers.