Families of sacked KPT workers appeal to PM, ministry

SHC last week nullified the notification issued in 2016, terminating 1,200 employees

KARACHI:

The families of Karachi Port Trust employees, terminated in 2016 over allegations of politically motivated illegal appointments, have appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the minister and secretary for the Federal Ministry of Maritime Affairs to ensure implementation of the Sindh High Court's decision on November 30.

Earlier this week, the high court nullified the notification issued by the KPT administration in 2016, terminating 1,200 employees who had been appointed between June 2012 and March 2013. After hearing the arguments by the defence counsels during a three-hour-long hearing, the court had also admitted the plea against the termination of the 1,200 KPT workers.

KPT trade unions and the affected employees termed the SHC's decision 'historic' and have called for the immediate payment of withheld salaries, increments, bonuses and other financial dues to the employees in question.

"They claimed that despite the court's decision, KPT management was unwilling to pay the dues owed to the employees in question."

As many as nine workers have died of heart attacks and brain haemorrhages during this lawsuit, they claimed, and yet salaries and bonuses continue to be withheld. The affected employees have also lodged complaints at the PM's portal.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has clarified that it did not issue any orders that would have resulted in a reduction of wages.