SNGPL yet to reinstate sacked sub-engineers

Islamabad: The management of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) in sheer violation of the orders of the Labour Court is yet to reinstate 164 Contract Sub Engineers.

According to the sacked sub engineers including Hafiz Mohammad Nadeem, Mohammad Aftab Dogar, Zain Shakil Butt beside others, the non- compliance of the orders of Islamabad Labour Court since the last eight months speaks volume of the stubbornness of the SNGPL management.

Giving details, Hafiz Nadeem and Aftab Dogar while representing other sacked sub-engineers said that they were recruited in the SNGPL as Contract Sub Engineers more than five years ago. In connection with regularisation of our services, they approached the Islamabad Labour Court. While the hearing on their petition was continuing, the management discharged them from the service. However, the court gave a stay and directed the management to let the sub engineers continue their services till the decision on their petition was made. Despite the court orders and passage of eight months, the management has not yet reinstated their service, which is sheer violation of the verdict, they claimed. Similarly, besides terminating the sub engineers, the management while turning a deaf ear towards the court orders also removed other employees who were working in UFG section as well.

The sacked employees headed by contract sub engineers have appealed to the Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to take notice of the matter and direct the management to implement orders of the Labour Court and reinstate the contractual employees without any further delay. In other case, these employees have decided to approach Justice Falak Sher Farooq for seeking justice, Hafiz Nadeem and Aftab Dogar said. However, commenting on the allegations against the management, SNGPL Managing Director Amjad Latif said that the department recruits sub engineers on contract periods for dealing with the assignments. On the completion of assignments, the services of sub engineers ends automatically which means they have to go. Same is the case of 164 sub engineers whose service period ended with the completion of their assignments.