'Special Power Ordinance 2002 tool to suppress subordinates'

Terming the Special Power Ordinance 2002 a sword hanging on the heads of government employees, Wasa Workers Union Rawalpindi (WWUR) Secretary General Iftikhar Khan has said that it is a tool in the hands of high officials to suppress subordinates, particularly the low-paid employees in any department.
"Wasa employees are no exception to employees of other departments and organisations. We have tasted the anger of our bosses in the shape of termination under this ordinance," he said, while taking to Business Recorder here on Monday.
He said that WWUR is striving to save workers from this sword and resolve their problems being faced by them for a long time. Talking on the problems of the workers in Wasa, Iftikhar said that there are more than 150 class four employees in the organisation who are being paid very low salary. "They are getting just Rs 2,800 per month and no other facilities. We have raised the issue with the new chairman and most probably he would announce a raise of Rs 1,000 in the salaries of class four employees," he added.
He said that another problem is that more than 160 contract employees are not being given any sort of allowances. "I am sure that within a few days we will be in a position to resolve this problem too," he said.
He also said that WWUR as a result of successful move has attained Eid allowance of Rs 500 for more than 500 workers. "WWUR is making efforts for the Wasa workers to perform one Umrah and one Haj on government expenses," he added.
Iftikhar said that medical and residential problems are main hardships for the Wasa workers and there is no proper hospital where they would get treatment, nor is there any proper residential area for them. Illness has become a major problem for poor workers and they are not in a position to afford huge fees of doctors and costly medicines, he added.
He called upon the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) chairman to look into these two important problems and direct any hospital of the city to provide free medical care to the Wasa workers.