Up in arms: Lesco employees stage demonstration against privatisation plan

They gathered at Aiwan-i-Iqbal and marched to headquarters

LAHORE: Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) workers under the aegis of the All Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Hydroelectric Workers’ Union (CBA) on Thursday gathered outside Aiwan-i-Iqbal to stage a protest demonstration against the government’s privatisation policy.

CBA general secretary Khurshid Ahmed said that the privatisation of Karachi Electric Supply Company had resulted in a rise in the cost of power. “In addition to this, they let go of thousands of workers,” he said. Ahmed said the reason for this was that the company was controlled by a board of directors composed of private individuals. “They have made no investment and most of them are political appointments,” he said.  Ahmed said the government was spending millions of rupees to run the Metro Bus. It should also be responsible for ensuring the provision of electricity to the people. He said policies formulated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) would prove disastrous for the nation.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) secretary general IA Rehman called on the government to hold talks with workers regarding privatisation as it imperilled their livelihoods. “The government should take them into confidence rather than implementing policies devised by the IMF and the WB,” he said.

Awami Workers’ Party president Abid Hassan Minto said provision of electricity was a responsibility of the government. He said it was obligated to provide affordable electricity to the people.

The workers marched to the LESCO headquarters on Queens Road. Addressing the workers there, 6th Circle chairman Sajid Raza Kazmi called out the directors. “During the last meeting, we were promised that we would not have to ask for bonuses but we have still not received them. Announce our bonuses now,” he said.  “Provide LESCO employees bonuses,” those present on the occasion chanted in agreement with his statement.

Kazmi also went on to say that LESCO management had not taken any steps to ensure the safety of linemen who risked their lives daily. He said the government had conned children, nurses, young doctors and the visually-impaired among others. “We do not want to harm anyone but are advising you (Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif) to listen to our pleas to save your government,” Kazmi said. The union staged similar protests against privatisation elsewhere.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2015.