JI chief calls for reinstatement of sacked PSM employees

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Senator Sirajul Haq demanded from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led federal government on Sunday to reinstate over 4,000 dismissed Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) employees and withdraw the decision to privatise nine government institutions.

Siraj was addressing terminated PSM employees, who were staging a sit-in outside the house of PSM chairperson's house.

"Privatising national institutions and contract-based hiring will neither improve the economy, nor resolve the issues of labourers," said Siraj, adding that terminating labourers and workers could not compensate for losses.

Siraj went on to say, "The fight, here, is not between the PTI, Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, but between the oppressors and the oppressed."

Govt lays off over 4,500 Pakistan Steel Mills employees

Criticising Prime Minister Imran Khan and Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, he said they made false promises of providing jobs and protecting workers' rights, but, instead of fulfilling the promises, they had terminated thousands of employees.

He claimed that none of the dismissed PSM employees had been given Rs2.5 million promised by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail.

"The PSM had been an honourable and beneficial institution that contributed to the country's development, reducing unemployment and improving the economy. But it was ruined after 2008 due to a corrupt government and administration and political interference," said Siraj.

He demanded for the PM to visit the dismissed and protesting PSM employees and negotiate with them, the reinstatement of the employees and that the FIR registered against leaders of the PSM employees action committee be withdrawn.

"The JI had raised the issue of PSM in the Senate and will again raise the voice for the rights of labourers and terminated PSM employees," pledged Siraj.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2021.