KOHAT, Nov 2: The Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union has urged the government to review their contracts with the independent power producers, which are responsible for regular upward revision of power tariff.

Addressing a protest meeting, the divisional chairman of the union, Younas Shah, and secretary general Fauji Badshah asked the government to drop the idea of privatising Wapda as it was making huge profit.

They feared that after privatisation the new administration would cut jobs and the sensitive institution of country would go into foreign hands. They urged the government and the minister for privatisation to harness cheap energy from coal and water resources.

They demanded 40 per cent hard area allowance for the employees and 100 per cent increase in salaries, keeping in view the skyrocketing prices of essential food items, and end to transfers on political basis.

They observed complete strike on Tuesday and locked the offices to express their anguish over the government decision of privatisation and vowed to continue their boycott till the acceptance of their demands.

They thanked the provincial government for sanctioning Rs5,000 monthly risk allowance for line staff and demanded that it should be paid to all the technical employees. LAKKI MARWAT:

The Lakki Marwat chapter of Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union staged a protest demonstration in Tajazai here on Tuesday against the government's plan to privatise Pesco and other power companies.

The employees also staged a sit-in outside the office of Pesco deputy manager operation to protest the proposed privatisation of power companies. They also displayed a big banner on the main gate of Pesco office inscribed with the slogan 'Nijkari Namanzoor' (privatisation unacceptable).

The protesters alleged that rulers wanted to sell the state run profitable institution to their blue-eyed people just for getting kickbacks. They said that Pesco and other power companies were national assets and workers would not allow their privatisation at any cost.

They threatened to launch a protest movement across the province against the proposed privatisation of Pesco.

They lauded the decision of the authorities concerned about risk allowance to workers and recruitment of employees' sons. They also demanded of the Pesco authorities to provide workers with 40 per cent hard area allowance and bonus facilities.