Minimum wagers face government’s apathy

RAWALPINDI:

Like other departments, the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Rawalpindi has also grossly violated the orders of the Punjab government to ensure minimum monthly wages for its employees.

The Punjab government had set minimum Rs32,000 salary for the staff of all departments and the provincial finance department issued a notification in this regard on January 1, 2024.

According to the notification, the salary of a watchman, gardener, sweeper, sewerman, helper and valve man is currently Rs32,000. Tube-well operator, dewatering operator and pump operator get Rs33,150 per month, while the salary of electrician, driver, jetting machine driver, and suction machine driver has been fixed at Rs34,966.

Furthermore, the salary of a computer operator is fixed at Rs41,311, a sub-engineer Rs46,442, and an assistant director at Rs88,790.

Per an Office Order (DRF/WASA/11) issued on January 30, the salary of all work- charged employees has now been reduced to Rs25,000 per month as per the old calculation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th 2024.