Pakistan : Workers on strike against firm's contract policy
KARAK, Aug 29: Hundreds of workers of a foreign oil and gas company working in Central Processing Facility (CPF) at Makori here have gone on a strike against the firm’s contract
system.
The workers led by labour union president Mohammad Qasim, Niazullah and Inaytullah gathered outside the main gate of CPF on Aug 27 where they staged a protest sit-in, restricting the movement of the company vehicles. They chanted slogans against the MOL administration, claiming they had been working in the company for last eight years on contract at very low wages.
The protesters said they would not tolerate the cruelty under the contract system anymore and demanded that they be brought under the direct payroll of the company with all perks and privileges which were being provided to the firm’s other employees.
They said that they had brought the issue into the notice of the concerned quarters time and again, but to no avail. They said the company was earning billions of rupees from the soil of Karak but denying the rights to workers.
They resolved to continue with their strike till acceptance of their demands.
Meanwhile, on the alleged directives of the administration of the company police raided the protest camp and arrested about 100 workers, who were later set free by the police when their colleagues vowed not to end the agitation.
Published by Daily Dawn on Aug 28, 2016
