LAHORE: Wapda workers have urged the government fulfil their demands of up-gradation, regularisation of services and various allowances.
They stated this while speaking at a gathering organised by Labour Union Power Station Tarbela Dam in Swabi on Friday. Leaders of All Pakistan Wadpa Hydro Electric Workers Union (CBA) from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar attended the gathering. The participants have unanimous resolved to forge unity in ranks to resist any anti-labour policy of the government.
The charter of demands was presented by Tarbela Dam Labour Union chairman Afsar Khan, in which the workers demanded the up-gradation, job allowance for sanitary workers, risk allowance for linemen, regularization of daily wage employees, formation of service rules, marriage and delivery grants, up-gradation of Wapda Hospital paramedical staff and filling the vacant posts in Tarbela Dam Wapda schools and colleges.
Khurshid Ahmad Khan, central general secretary of All Pakistan Wadpa Hydro Electric Workers Union (APWHEWU) said on the occasion that Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had made it clear that Wapda would not be privatised. Gohar Taj, central chairman of APWHEWU said the capitalist class strives to create disunity in working class, paving the way for their exploitation but the workers had made clear once again that privatisation of Wapda is not acceptable to them at any cost. Tanvir Ahmad Khan, general secretary Tarbela Dam Lahour Union also spoke on the occasion. Later, APWHEWU held a detail meeting with Tarbela Dam Chief Engineer Sher Afzal and other officials of the dam, discussing the various problems confront by the Tarbela Dam powerhouse and Ghazi Barotha workers.