'Highly paid officers fail to resolve HWSC's financial woes'

Union says thousands of workers without pay and pension for months

HYDERABAD:

Officers appointed on hefty monthly salaries at the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWSC) have failed to pull the utility out of its financial crisis, leaving hundreds of employees without salaries and pensions for over a year, according to the Mehran Workers Union.

Permanent employees have not been paid for 15 months, while work-charge, contract and daily-wage staff have gone unpaid for up to 17 months. Pensions, gratuity, GP fund and leave encashment dues of retired and deceased employees also remain outstanding, pushing many families to the brink of starvation.

The union said that despite the corporation's upgrade from WASA and the appointment of Mayor Hyderabad Kashif Shoro as chairman of the board, there has been no improvement in water supply and sewerage services. Instead, several senior officers were appointed on contracts at salaries ranging from Rs400,000 to Rs600,000 per month, despite having little or no relevant experience. One such officer reportedly resigned within three months.

Union General Secretary Muhammad Aslam Abbasi said that while senior contract officers continue to draw full salaries and perks, frontline staff responsible for running the water and sewerage system have been deprived of pay. He added that the situation has worsened to the extent that chlorination and alum supplies have run out, and untreated water is being supplied to residents.

The union has written to the army chief, the president and the prime minister, seeking immediate intervention. The letters allege violations of labour laws, minimum wage rules, the 2023 Corporation Act and Supreme Court judgments, including the dismissal of work-charge and contract employees while favourites are recruited.

Abbasi said repeated assurances by the HWSC chief executive that salaries and pensions would be paid regularly from July 2025 have not been honoured. The union has demanded immediate clearance of all dues, an end to unlawful appointments and strict implementation of the law to ensure employees' right to a dignified livelihood.