Workers dismayed at lack of time off to help families

Employees feel if they go back to their hometowns they might not have a job to come back to

LAHORE:

While those living in the provincial capital have not been victimised by the devastating floods, many working contractual or daily wage jobs are now facing the odd choice of helping out their affected family members at the expense of losing employment.

Even though relief efforts are ongoing, residents of Lahore, who belong to flood affected areas in Sindh and South Punjab but live in the city for work, are complaining that their workplaces have not given them any time off to tend to their friends and family.

Mohammad Asif, who came to Lahore from Taunsa, said that he works in a local office and is currently in a dilemma as his request for leave from the employers to go back home and help out has not been entertained yet. “If I leave, my job will be gone,” said a dismayed Asif. Similarly, Akram Malik of flood devastated Rajanpur, who has been living and working in the city for a long time said that he is only entitled to a leave once a year.

“However, presently any requests for time off are not being entertained. Some colleagues have offered to take care of my work but to no avail.”

Even government employees in the city, like Salahuddin, who also hails from Rajanpur, are worried that taking time off will cost them their job. “Our house has been destroyed and I want to help relocate my family.

However, the department has not given any holidays,” said Salahuddin, adding that some of his colleagues have taken long leaves to go back home but he could not risk the same.

Another government employee, Nadeem Ahmed, also cited his frustrations at not being able to help his family in their time of need, whilst talking to The Express Tribune. “The government has deducted money from our salaries for flood relief but has not allowed us to go back and help our relatives,” an irate Ahmed said. He was of the view that a leave would help employees from far flung areas to go back and help with rehabilitation efforts.

“Therefore, the government should consider giving us time off,” he implored. On the other hand, a few have been lucky in securing leaves.

Abuzar Saeed, who is from Taunsa, said that he was able to get ten days off from his department. Saeed believes that the time off has been quite vital in his efforts to help his relatives. “I am able to help my family because everything they had has been destroyed by the flood and rains.”

However, Saeed does wish for an extension in his leave. Provincial government sources, when asked about their employees not getting enough time off to help affected family members, informed The Express Tribune that no employee had been stopped from taking a leave and neither had the government received any complaints in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2022.