State-owned enterprises: ‘Privatisation a ruse for plundering national wealth’

People urged to take a stand against capitalism

LAHORE:

International Youth and Workers’ Movement president Jawad Ahmed on Tuesday called on workers, students and youngsters to take a stand against capitalism.

He was speaking to journalists at a media talk organised by the IYWM and the Pakistan National Trade Unions’ Federation against the proposed privatisation of state-owned enterprises. Ahmed said the bodies wanted the government to do away with its privatisation policy, end the bureaucratisation of state-owned enterprises and operate them in a democratic manner by sharing control with the employees.



Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Hydroelectric Union (CBA) and All Pakistan Workers’ Federation general secretary Kurshid Ahmed said provision of basic services to the people was a primary responsibility of the government. He said the government had to prevent exploitation in accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution. Ahmed said privatisation in the communications, health and education sectors had not benefited the people. He said the government should take workers into confidence instead of implementing the privatisation policy to remedy organisational weaknesses internally.

National Trade Unions’ Federation general secretary Shabbir Ahmed said privatisation could thousands of jobs in danger as private entities prefer hiring people on a contractual rather than a permanent basis. He said this increased workers’ exploitation. Ahmed said the price of several commodities would increase in the wake of privatisation.

Pakistan Paramedical Association president Javed Chohan said privatisation was a cash cow for politicians. “They will sell state assets for cheap to their friends and relatives. Privatisation is just a ruse for plundering national wealth,” he said.

Azam Araien, who was representing Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) employees, said it was not impossible to resist the lure of privatisation. He said Wasa employees had thwarted an attempt to privatise the agency a few years ago. Araien said they would continue to prevent it in unison with other workers.

The speakers demanded the government register all workers in the public and private sectors. They called on the government to ensure that workers were covered under the Punjab Workers’ Welfare Board and the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI). The speakers also demanded the immediate release of all Punjab Workers’ Welfare Board grants.

National Organisation of Trade Unions senior joint secretary Zafar Iqbal, Press Club president Arshad Ansari and Railways Workers’ Union Open Line chief organiser Chaudhry Anwar Gujjar were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2015.