Hundreds of workers of hydel and thermal power stations of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda/Pepco) from the four provinces took out a procession against the proposed break up of the National Power Wing into various companies on the behest of the World Bank / IMF here on Monday.
The protest march organised by Pakistan Hydro Electric Labour Union C.B.A. started from Bakhtiar Labour Hall Nisbat Road ended before the Lahore Press Club after passing through Mcleod road and Abbot road. The participants of the rally were carrying banners in support of their demands and raised slogans against price hike and the World Bank for its anti-people policies.
Addressing the rally veteran labour leader Khurshid Ahmad, general secretary and Abdul Latif Nizamani president of the labour union called upon President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to intervene and not allow the World Bank to impose its anti-people policies for raising power tariff and break up of the National Power Public Utility. The labour leaders further demanded of Wapda / Pepco to allow the thermal and hydel power houses staff same allowances as allowed to their counter parts working in Tarbela hydel stations and up-grade the pay scales of power house staff. They warned the government that workers would be compelled to march to Islamabad in case meaningful dialogue was not held to settle their legitimate demands.