PSM employees

A beacon of light has appeared for the remaining 5,000-plus employees of the Pakistan Steel Mills, as the government has announced their absorption in other public-sector organisations. The largest steel mills — once known as the pride of the country — had been faltering for the past many years, and came to a grinding halt around seven years ago, after unstoppably suffering colossal losses. All efforts to resuscitate it failed despite several massive bailout packages announced by the government. Plans were also announced about giving the huge state-owned entity into private hands. But all this remained on paper only, and the prestigious plant, its ancillary components and allied departments continued to haemorrhage money.

As part of its efforts to revive the mills, the authorities have been jettisoning the workforce from time to time. But nothing clicked. Now only the shell of the giant Steel Mills has been left. Recently the relevant ministry has asked in a written communication to the PSM secretary to send details of workers in order to facilitate their shifting to other corporations. Priority is to be given to the technically qualified though, it is hoped that the other residual workers too will gradually be accommodated suitably. At this stage it is not known whether the jobs of all employees will be secured. The authorities might not be so uncaring as to leave other workers and their dependents in difficult circumstances with an uncertain future staring them in their faces.

The Steel Mills is one of the most prestigious industries of Pakistan founded in 1973 in collaboration with the then USSR. At one time, it employed 30,000 workers. Major causes that gradually turned the giant industrial complex into a white elephant are simply mismanagement, corruption and political interference. This surprises no one as selfishness and greed have put a spoke in the wheels in most state-owned entities, rendering them inefficient and costing the livelihood of workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2022.

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