Sanitary workers allege bullying
LAHORE:
Officers of the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and the Solid Waste Management Company (SWMC) have been accused of threatening the sanitary workers.
During a meeting held between the workers’ representatives and the SWMC and the CDGL high-ups, the latter used derogatory language, said Khalid Shahzad, secretary of the Sanitary Workers’ Action Committee.
“We were met with threats of police action.”
Sweepers and bill clerks, among other staffers demanded raise in wages, timely payment of pensions, a fixed compensation amount from the SWMC and the CDGL in case of death while in service and the assurance against privatisation of the SWMC. Shahzad said the workers are treated like animals.
“Despite having met the CDGL and SWMC management several times, we’re ignored and unheard,” he said.
“We will boycott work and go on strike next week.’’
Regarding the misuse of authority, he said, over 22 people, including MPAs, MNAs, CM’s coordinators, DCO, coordinators of the union councils and SWM officials had benefitted from unpaid work by the SWM workers.
“We are threatened in case of refusal and pressured into serving at their homes,” said Maqbool.
Waseem Ajmal, the SWMC managing director (MD), however, said that the meeting with the sanitary workers was successful. “They have been assured that their demands will be met.” On Monday the workers protested before the Punjab Assembly against the alleged misuse of authority by the CDGL and the SWMC.
Last year, they planned a sit-in before the CM’s and the Governor’s House but after the DCO held talks and promised to address their problems.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2010.
Officers of the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and the Solid Waste Management Company (SWMC) have been accused of threatening the sanitary workers.
During a meeting held between the workers’ representatives and the SWMC and the CDGL high-ups, the latter used derogatory language, said Khalid Shahzad, secretary of the Sanitary Workers’ Action Committee.
“We were met with threats of police action.”
Sweepers and bill clerks, among other staffers demanded raise in wages, timely payment of pensions, a fixed compensation amount from the SWMC and the CDGL in case of death while in service and the assurance against privatisation of the SWMC. Shahzad said the workers are treated like animals.
“Despite having met the CDGL and SWMC management several times, we’re ignored and unheard,” he said.
“We will boycott work and go on strike next week.’’
Regarding the misuse of authority, he said, over 22 people, including MPAs, MNAs, CM’s coordinators, DCO, coordinators of the union councils and SWM officials had benefitted from unpaid work by the SWM workers.
“We are threatened in case of refusal and pressured into serving at their homes,” said Maqbool.
Waseem Ajmal, the SWMC managing director (MD), however, said that the meeting with the sanitary workers was successful. “They have been assured that their demands will be met.” On Monday the workers protested before the Punjab Assembly against the alleged misuse of authority by the CDGL and the SWMC.
Last year, they planned a sit-in before the CM’s and the Governor’s House but after the DCO held talks and promised to address their problems.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2010.