LAHORE: Employees of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) Friday brought work to a standstill across the country.
They closed offices, staged protests outside their premises, and halted operations in various sectors, including imports, demanding immediate reinstatement of long-standing incentive share.
Officers and employees of PSQCA have protested against the suspension of annual bonus. Complete shutdowns were observed at the Standard Development Centre, Technical Services Centre, Quality Control Centre, and System Certification Centre. Employees gathered outside their office gates and registered their demands.
They asserted that the annual bonus, sanctioned by the Board of Directors, has historically been essential for their financial stability. However, its suspension under current circumstances has exacerbated their financial hardships, which they likened to economic suffocation and exploitation by the administration.
The employees emphasized that unless the bonus is promptly reinstated, no office will be reopened, and no officer will be allowed to resume work. They pointed out that the absence of a Director-General for an extended period has compounded issues, leading to increasingly complex matters. It is noteworthy that the closure of offices nationwide, including in Karachi, has sparked concerns among business circles due to the complete cessation of import activities.