Peoples Workers Union (CBA) of Pakistan Steel Mills has urged the federal government to revive the country's largest steel producing plant in the larger interest of the country. Syed Hameedullah, General Secretary Pakistan Steel Peoples Workers Union (CBA) in an SOS sent to the Secretary of Ministry of Industries & Production, Ministry of Finance, Privatisation Commission and the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation, has said that on the one hand the federal government is imposing regulatory duty and anti dumping duty on the import of steel products to protect the domestic industry, while it has shut down its own plant.
He urged the government to stop further victimisation of PSM, its employees and taxpayers and consider proposals for revival of the mills in the economic interest of the country instead of privatisation or lease for 30 years.
He said the losses were due to non-availability of raw material, uninterrupted gas supply and other logistics required for smooth running of the plant. It was the responsibility of the government not the workers, he added. In addition, the federal government has failed in the implementation of the ECC decision dated 25th April 2012 & 25th April 2014, regarding SSGC bills amount & restoration.
"No positive measures were initiated by the government to save the sinking ship of PSM and the situation went from bad to worst at the mill," he said and added that presently, its serving and retired employees are suffering due to non-payment of salaries.
The controlling Ministry of Industries & Production played the role of silent spectators keeping in view the actions against the poor performance and bad governance of the unaccountable men of choice appointed by the successive governments from 2004 to 2016, the General Secretary CBA said.
Hameedullah said the PSM management's structure and the Board of Directors is incomplete and needs to be completed immediately. He called for appointment of a professional Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer having the knowledge of metallurgical industry (administrative, commercial and technical) operational experience by the Board of Directors as per the Memorandum of Articles of Association. All other jobs must be appointed/promoted immediately according to PSM Services Rules & Regulations, he added.
"Blaming the PSM (mill & its employees) failure at this critical juncture will be unjustified because it depends on the knowledge, priorities, planning and commercial consideration of the man's attitude behind the machine," he added.
He said the employees of PSM always proved the potential of the mill whenever a good management, sustainable supply of logistic (materials) was made available required for smooth running of the plant. In this regard, key performance indicators will support our claim. PSM has the potential for turnaround and its employees are an asset not liability, he maintained.
"We are waiting for a positive response from the government to resolve the issues at the table and request the government to avoid the wrong path adopted for leasing the mill for 30 years without any constructive roadmap," he said.