50pc raise in wages, pensions demanded

LAHORE:A rally was taken out here on Wednesday under the auspices of the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union CBA.

The rally demanded the government implement a 50 percent increase in wages and pensions for the employees of the government, semi-government sectors, Wapda/DISCOs, railways, gas, and other public and private sectors, including banks and media, in the upcoming budget 2024-25 to match the rising cost of living.

The workers also demanded the government address the alarming rate of fatal and non-fatal accidents among electricity staff. They suggested that the government follow the practices of private companies in Rawalpindi, Multan, Karachi, and IPPs instead of that raise their productivity of DISCOs to provide cheaper electricity to the nation since Wapda has been providing electricity at the rate of Rs5.50 per unit while IPPs providing electricity at the rate of Rs50/- per unit.

The also demanded the reinstatement of performance allowances for employees on the occasion of Eidul Azha and the regularisation of contract, daily wage, and contingent workers. In a resolution, they condemned the genocide of citizens in Gaza by Israel, urging international intervention to halt these violations of international law.The event featured speeches by Khurshid Ahmad, General Secretary of the union, along with others.