Union closes WAPDA to protest privatisation

Government accused of privatising ‘cream of the crop’ in sit-ins across K-P


Our Correspondents November 16, 2015
Government accused of privatising ‘cream of the crop’ in sit-ins across K-P PHOTO: PPI

SWABI/ NOWSHERA/ KOHAT/ PESHAWAR/ MARDAN/ DI KHAN:


Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) and Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) offices in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa remained closed on Monday as Wapda Hydro Labour Union went on strike against federal government’s privatisation policy.


The union halted all revenue generating jobs for the utility, including billing, meter reading and bill distribution. “We will not work for an indefinite period; only entertain consumer complaints about power supply,” said Wapda Hydro Electric Labour Union provincial general secretary Mustajab Khan Mazduryar. “We are protesting for the public. If the government privatises Wapda, tariffs will be increased which will impact the public,” he said. “The offices in Peshawar and in other districts of K-P will remain closed and our staff will not carry out any outdoor duties until our demand to stop privatisation is addressed.”

Job security: WAPDA employees protest against privatisation

Stand united

In Peshawar, which is also the headquarters of Wapda in the province, union representatives protested in front of the main building.

“Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) is the best among all 12 power distribution companies in the country as far as revenue generation and losses are concerned,” said the association’s chairperson Gohar Taj. He added the government is privatising ‘the cream’, the most profitable portion at a throwaway price.

“We ask the government to stop the privatisation of profitable Pakistan Power Distribution Companies (DISCO) and sit with us to make plans to improve distributors which are facing a loss.”

Tarbela-4 extension to be completed in June 2017, says WAPDA chief

Mazduryar accused the federal government of giving away utility assets at nominal prices in the privatisation of FESCO.

“The government has 159 offices worth billions of rupees. However it has fixed the price at Rs400,000 per marla while the market price is Rs1.5 million per marla.”

He added the government decided to give all used power transformers to the buyer at no cost. “We will gather at Wapda House daily and protest all day until we get our demands.

Outside the capital

In DI Khan, protesters held a sit-in at Wapda’s main office. The union’s rural division chairman, Muhammad Nawaz Gandapur, said “Wapda is a profitable institution and the government is privatising it only for its personal interests. We will not allow the government to do so.”

Keep it public: WAPDA employees protest against privatisation

Meanwhile, in Tank, the labour union also protested against Wapda. Union chairperson Zahir Shah Marwat said, “The government is not concerned about the welfare of labourers and its anti-labour policy will ruin the country’s economy.”

In Swabi, the union representatives under the supervision of the divisional chairman, Haji Rawaid, kept the offices locked and vowed to take all steps to stop the privatisation. The union’s Kohat divisional chairman, Younas Shah, criticised the government, flaying them and echoing the labour organisation’s sentiments elsewhere. In Nowshera and Malakand, employees held rallies holding black flags, placards and posters.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2015.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ