KMC staff, pensioners protest over unpaid salary raises

KARACHI:

A protest was staged outside the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) headquarters on Monday by the Municipal Workers Trade Unions Alliance over non-payment of last year's salary increments to employees of KMC and various town municipalities (TMCs), as well as the failure to hike pensions for retired workers by the 33% raise announced over the last three years.

Hundreds of employees and pensioners gathered at the protest site, carrying banners and placards bearing their demands. They raised slogans intermittently, venting their anger over what they termed the administration's indifference toward their financial grievances.

The protest was attended by leaders and representatives of all alliance unions, including Sajjan Union, United Workers Union, People's United Workers Union, People's Unity, Labour Union, KMC and TMCs Retired Employees and Pensioners Alliance, Local Government Education Employees Association, KMC Paramedical Staff, and KMC Officers and Officials Employees Committee.

Addressing the gathering, Zulfiqar Shah announced that the protest was being temporarily called off but warned that stronger action would follow if their demands were not met.

"We will file a petition in the Sindh High Court seeking a complete accounting of the monthly Rs1.93 billion released for KMC and Rs200 million for TMC pensioners. The increments have not been paid despite funds being available, and we demand full transparency," he said. He further warned that future protests would be held with full force on MA Jinnah Road on every budget session until their grievances were addressed. Retired employees expressed deep frustration over the non-implementation of the 33% pension increase announced over the past three years. Many of them, some elderly and frail, stood under the scorching sun to make their voices heard.

"Our pensions have not been revised despite repeated assurances. We are being forced to survive on outdated amounts while the cost of living has skyrocketed. This is sheer injustice," said a retired KMC employee who had traveled from the outskirts of the city to join the protest.