Overdue: Former Fauji Fertiliser employees demand dues

Entrance to company was blocked by protesters.

SUKKUR: Dozens of ex-employees of the Fauji Fertiliser Company amassed at their former workplace in Mirpur Mathelo on Thursday, demanding dues promised to them under a voluntary retirement scheme.

Led by Mohammad Ameen Soomro, the men staged a protest and sit-in as they shouted slogans against the management and held up placards and banners. The entrances and exits to the company were blocked as the protesters burned tyres.

The protesters said they were originally employed by the Pak Saudi Fertiliser Company. After it was privatised in 2002 and sold to the Fauji Fertiliser Company, a ‘golden handshake’ scheme was introduced that was offered to 400 employees. Half of the amount was to be paid by the government and the other half by the FFC, but while the government paid up, Fauji Fertiliser didn’t
pay its share, protesters alleged.

They also claimed that Fauji Fertiliser is not following rules for new recruitment, according to which it has to recruit 60 per cent of staff locally and 40 per cent outside. They alleged that the management is only recruiting 5 per cent of locals. The ex-employees said they would continue to protest until Fauji Fertiliser met their demands.

The company’s media manager Bakhshal Khan Gudaro denied the protesters’ allegations. He said that all employees were paid their dues in the golden handshake scheme, but they have now started protesting and alleging that they were not paid.

He said that the protesters had filed a petition which is now pending in the Supreme Court. Gudaro said that the company will abide by the court’s orders and these employees should wait for its decision. He also denied allegations that non-locals were being recruited, and said that every appointment at the Fauji Fertiliser Company is made on merit and all rules are followed for new appointments.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2012.