The 86-day long protest by thousands of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) workers finally ended on Tuesday with the KESC management and the protesting employees reaching an agreement after a series of talks and the mediation of civil administration.
During negotiations that continued throughout Monday night, the two parties mutually agreed to open all KESC offices from Tuesday, effectively ending the strike, which had worsened the power crisis in the city.
According to the agreement signed between the representatives of both parties, a Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) would be announced within one week comprising KESC representatives from the workers and the administration. The DRC will address all disputed matters including FIRs and adjustment of the employees against abolished positions as per entitlement.
The retrenchments made by the company after the announcement of Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) were deferred and the employees, sacked through the VSS, will also be paid their salaries through a ‘relief package’. “No coercive action will be taken against FVSS from either side” it stated.
The agreement stated that the court orders GPO 1428/ 2011 shall be fully adhered by all relevant parties and all kinds of protests will come to an immediate end as a code of conduct. All ‘dharnas’ (sit-ins) will be removed, all offices/consumer service centers/installations will be opened for normal business activities while worker unions and management will ensure complete industrial peace and harmony at KESC.
The agreement, which was also signed by Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Hussain Syed, Sindh Additional Inspector General of Police Saud Mirza and Karachi South Deputy Commissioner Mustafa Jamal Kazi, also says that any violation of the agreement/hindrance in works or any practical disturbance at any workplace of KESC will be dealt with as per the prevalent civil/criminal law and the miscreants will be apprehended without any exception. The DRC’s formation, terms of reference and execution of its agenda will be mutually agreed for implementation.
Interestingly, the explanation of agreed points shown by KESC did not ensure the adjustment of all workers who were sent into the surplus pool after introduction of VSS while making their posts redundant. “The committee formed by the two parties will evaluate each case independently and see if any worker has skill sets that can be used in any ‘core’ function, because as of now, their previous positions do not exist and are redundant.”
“No one from the surplus pool will be retrenched at the moment. None of the workers in question will resume their previous positions or duties and in the mean time, they ‘can’ sign their attendances until further decisions/conclusions are drawn by the DRC.
“VSS payout to all those who have already opted for it will be handed over on priority basis. The VSS scheme will continue and any worker desirous of opting for it can still do so.
However, sources told Pakistan Today that the adjustment issue could revive the tussle if not immediately handled by the proposed committee.
Talking to Pakistan Today, KESC CBA Chairman Akhlaq Ahmed said the protest was ended after concurrence, and the utility should not create any confusion through presenting explanations of the accord.
It is worth mentioning here that efforts for reaching a compromise were going on since the issue was taken up seriously by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad. While the talks continued, electricity consumers faced enormous power-related issues.
