The Peoples Labour Bureau has demanded of the government to reduce existing gas prices instead of revising it further upward and causing more miseries for the low-income people of the country. In a statement on Thursday, the PLB Central co-ordinator, Habibuddin Junaidee, said the recent decision of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority to increase prices for industrial and domestic consumers would hit hard the poor.
He said that gas and electricity prices were already on the higher side and compelling medium size industrial units to close down. This was rendering labour surplus and creating joblessness, increasing the level of frustration, which would lead to increase in criminal activities.
Theft of gas has not become common so far but after the prices go beyond reach, its theft would become common. "Once it is there nobody would be able to control it."
He said the increase in prices of gas would amount to "dacoity" and extortion of money from the low-income helpless population. "The decision needs review," he added.
He said that in May last gas prices were reviewed. The effect of this increase had resulted in increase in bus fare and daily use articles.
The poor infrastructure, water shortage and insufficiency of electricity in the industrial areas of the city and the residential areas of the labours were already adding to the problems of the employers and the employees, he added.
"The government should take back its decision of increasing gas prices and let the people live within their meager means," the labour leader emphasised.
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