USC employees to stage protest at D-Chowk against closure of utility stores

Rawalpindi:The employees of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) from across the country will protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad today (Monday). The protest is in response to the government’s decision to wind up USC operations nationwide.

The aggrieved employees plan to surround the USC head office and hold a sit-in at D-Chowk. Caravans of over 12,000 employees have already begun traveling from various provinces to reach the capital.

Malik Muhammad Azhar, Vice President of the All Pakistan Utility Stores Corporation Employees Union, informed ‘The News’ that more than 12,000 employees are expected to gather in Islamabad for the protest. "The caravans are on their way to Islamabad," he claimed.

He stated that the employees would first assemble in front of the USC head office, where they plan to stage a demonstration. "After that, we will proceed to D-Chowk to observe a sit-in against the government's decision to close USC stores nationwide," he added. He also mentioned that the protesters might move towards the Parliament House as part of their demonstration.

It's important to note that the Utility Stores Corporation is a profitable entity, contributing Rs. 25 billion in taxes to the government annually. Additionally, USC management has requested Rs. 14 billion from the government to sustain operations. The employees believe that if the government pays these pending dues, they can continue running the department smoothly without further government assistance.

Anayatullah Dola, Senior General Manager (Media) at USC, stated that discussions with the government are ongoing in an effort to reverse the decision. "There are 4,800 stores across the country employing hundreds of workers who have been with the corporation for years. We are doing everything we can to resolve this issue," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanvir Hussain dismissed the notion that the utility stores are being closed. He insisted that the government plans to "restructure" the organisation rather than shut it down.

According to available information, USC employs over 12,000 individuals nationwide, including permanent, contractual, and daily wage workers. Of these, 6,000 employees are regular, while the rest are on contractual and daily wage terms.

The USC is the only source of affordable basic commodities for the public, offering prices lower than those found in open market shops. However, the government recently eliminated all subsidies on essential items, effectively ending this lifeline for the poor. Business tycoons, long opposed to USC, appear to have succeeded in their efforts, leading to the government's announcement to close the department.

USC staff have been protesting against the proposed closure of the organization. For the past two days, several employees have gathered at different locations, chanting slogans against the government’s move, which they argue will leave thousands jobless. They have warned of launching a larger movement if the government does not reverse its decision.

The USC, a state-owned enterprise, operates over 4,800 stores nationwide, providing basic commodities to the public at subsidized rates. It is among the federal entities listed for privatization in the first phase of the government’s privatization strategy. The USC was established in July 1971 by acquiring 20 retail outlets from the Staff Welfare Organization and has since undergone various stages of expansion and reorganization to reach its current state.