WAPDA Employees Protest in Tando Adam Against Privatization Plans

Sanghar (Hasnain Ashiq Saand) The WAPDA Hydro Electric Labor Union staged a protest in Tando Adam against the potential privatization of WAPDA and to demand their rights. Employees locked the offices and marched in a rally from the divisional office to the press club, where they staged a sit-in demonstration and chanted slogans.

The protest was led by Noor Hassan Bhughio, Manzoor Khaskheli, Faheem Commando, Abdul Ghani Nizamani, Rustam Ali Magsi, Rajab Ali Bughio, Abdul Ghafoor Brohi, Irfan Malik, Om Parkash, Shakeel Rajput, Abdul Razzaq Soomro, Shoukat Khushk, and others.

Addressing the protest, the leaders stated that the federal government, under the pressure of the IMF, is pushing for privatization to intimidate workers. However, they emphasized that they will not back down. They highlighted that WAPDA workers risk their lives climbing electricity poles even in extreme heat to ensure uninterrupted power supply. They urged the authorities not to force them into darkness while they are the ones bringing light to people's homes.

The protesters clarified that power outages are not caused by workers but by the administration’s policies. They also pointed out that 67,000 positions in WAPDA are currently vacant and demanded immediate recruitment.

The union leaders called on the government to abandon privatization plans and instead provide relief to workers by increasing their salaries and granting them other essential benefits, including official housing quotas. They warned that if their demands were not met, their protest would continue.