The Capital Development Authority (CDA) workers, traders and different unions on Tuesday held a protest rally against the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance 2021.
The protest rally was organised by the CDA trade union Yasin Group at Aabpara Chowk. The demonstration was attended by thousands of CDA workers, traders and trade unionists.
The protest was addressed by Secretary-General of Pakistan Workers Federation and Mazdoor Union chief Chaudhry Muhammad Yaseen, business leaders Ajmal Baloch, Kashif Chaudhry, religious scholar Syed Jahangir Shah, Javed Baloch of Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union, Ejaz Bukhari of OGDCL Union, Malik Azhar Awan of the education department, Malik Dawood Khan and Shahid Khattak of PIMS Hospital Paramedical Staff Association, Raja Majeed of Municipal Labour Union and others.
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The speakers said that CDA employees have built a beautiful city like Islamabad by spilling thier sweat but the present government has passed a presidential ordinance in presence of the parliament which was not acceptable to the stakeholders.
The speakers said that they will not allow the division of national institutions like the CDA and its employees.
The business leaders said that in the past Islamabad was also handed over to the local government which resulted in its deterioration.
They urged the prime minister not to divide CDA and protect the rights of 15,000 workers.
Addressing the protest, Pakistan Workers Federation Secretary-General Chaudhry Yasin said that they have decided to wage a practical struggle against the oppressive presidential ordinance. “We will not avoid even shutting down the city if the ordinance was not reversed,” he said adding that with the parliament in session, the current rulers have issued a cruel presidential ordinance, forcing not only the CDA employees but also workers of other important sectors to fight back.
He said that “we are sending urgent letters to the president and the prime minister to withdraw the cruel ordinance immediately.
Chaudhry Yasin said that CDA was a national institution and the 15,000 workers were the host of the capital city. He urged the authorities concerned to immediately resolve the issue and said trade unions have always believed in dialogue and played a key role in strengthening democracy.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2021.
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