KESC union warns another massive protest against management

KARACHI: Apparently furious over non-implementation on the agreement consented by the management of Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) and government high ups with labor union, the CBA union activists Tuesday converged at Karachi Press Club to lodge their protest against the management.

In what appears to be a situation back to square one, hundreds of enraged KESC workers gathered at KPC by blocking both flanks of the roads, causing severe problem to motorists, especially during the rush hour when vehicular mess is daily seen on busy thoroughfares of adjoining roads of the press club.

Union leaders threatened to retort strongly the oppressive stance of KESC against its labor. "We will launch a massive protest drive after Eid that would make difficult for the utility's CEO and management to work," they warned.

CBA Chairman Ikhlaq Ahmed castigated the management of KESC for not implementing the minutes agreed upon in a recent meeting in the presence of Governor Sindh and Home Minister Sindh.

He said workers were not being allowed to resume their duties and not allowed to mark their attendance. He threatened to launch the protest in different manner that compels the KESC management to change their stance.

President Peoples Workers Union Aslam Sammo said 90 days of struggle of workers paved the way for reaching the agreement wherein the provision of rights to all workers were assured, but it was not implemented in real.

He criticized the management for sticking to its guns by not resorting to labor-friendly policy. He also lamented the role DCO Karachi Muhammad Hussain Syed who, according to him, betrayed workers under the pretext of reconciliation.

He asked why were the teams of workers not allowed to use maintenance vehicles of KESC to rectify faults in the city. He said all workers had been stopped from working by the union until security was provided to them.

"We will wait till Eid to see whether the minutes of agreement are implemented. If management fails to do so, we will launch massive protest campaign in different manner," he warned.

President CBA workers union Usman Baloch also spoke on the occasion.