The management of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has approved a compensation package for the workers of the USC following the shutting down of outlets across the country.

The board of management of the USC has approved an increase of Rs 2,500 per month in the salaries of daily wagers from Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,500. Moreover, the management has also approved increment in the salaries of the staff effective from December 2019, and 10 percent increase in salaries as per budget 2019-2020. The management also approved one month's additional salary for the workers during the month of Ramazan.

While the management has approved shuhada package for the USC workers according to which the heirs of any worker dying in the line of duty will get the salary and other perks and privileges.

Earlier on Friday, the Utility Stores union has closed down all the outlets across the country, a day before the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan. According to the chairman of the union, outlets and offices will remain shut until their demands are met.

President All Pakistan Workers Unions Syed Arif Shah said, "The union had demanded a coronavirus risk allowance for all the employees, regularisation of daily wagers and contractual workers, and up-gradation of sales and warehouse staff." He demanded a 10 percent increase in salaries effective from July 1, 2019, and double salary for March 2020. Shah urged the prime minister to resolve their longstanding issues. He said that earlier double pay was announced for the workers of the Utility Stores amid the coronavirus pandemic.