Rs 100 billion SOEs shares given away to workers for free: Gilani launches BESOS

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday launched Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS) to distribute Rs 100 billion free shares of state-owned enterprises among workers. Addressing a ceremony in this connection here, Gilani said under this scheme the workers would get shares amounting to over Rs 100 billion and initially 500,000 workers of 80 institutions would be benefited through this scheme.
The Prime Minister said the government through its worker-friendly policies is committed to resolving the problems being faced by the workers community and ensure their uplift. Gilani expressed the government's determination to fulfil its resolve for a prosperous and strong Pakistan through poor friendly policies.
He said the PPP government is implementing the vision of Benazir Bhutto who was firmly committed to the betterment and the welfare of the downtrodden people. He said the government is determined to eliminating all anti-labour laws and it has taken solid steps in this regard in a short span of time.
The Prime Minister said the government has decided to directly involve workers in the economic progress of the country by allocating them 12 percent free of cost shares of their respective state owned enterprises. The Prime Minister said under this scheme they would become part of these institutions and would share responsibilities and benefits equally.
APP adds: The workers will also get representation on the board of directors giving them power to take decisions for the betterment of institutions, Gilani said. He expressed the hope that after becoming shareholders, workers will work with more honesty, hard work and utilise their best abilities to make their units more effective, productive and profitable.
These institutions from now on will be of workers and this step of the government will have positive effects on national economy and will end the sense of deprivation of the working classes, he added. Gilani said the labour friendly policies of the government will turn into reality the determination and resolve of the government to end all anti-labour steps taken by non-representative and undemocratic rulers who were frightened of labourers.
He said Ramazan relief package will be offered to consumers to check prices and sugar will be made available at lower rates. He mentioned reforms in Fata announced Thursday night by President Zardari, saying the step will change the political system put in place by Britishers 100 years ago. Gilani said work is continuing on strategies to resolve issues of Balochistan and Northern Areas.
The role of the media is to keep government on the right path, he said, adding that if democracy fails the solution is more democracy so that country can keep on progressing. Gilani expressed the desire to keep on board leadership of other political parties. He said he telephoned PML (N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to congratulate them on the Independence Day and restoration of judiciary.