Rawalpindi sanitation workers demand regularisation, announce protest schedule

RAWALPINDI: Daily-wage sanitation workers employed by the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) held a protest outside the Rawalpindi Press Club on Tuesday, calling on the Punjab government to regularise their services and warning of an expanded agitation if their demands remain unmet.

The demonstration was led by Municipal Labour Union President Raja Haroon Rasheed and General Secretary Pastor Shahid Raza. A large number of daily-wage employees of the municipal corporation joined the protest and chanted slogans in support of their demands.

Addressing the gathering, Raja Haroon Rasheed said it was unjust that workers who had been serving for a long period were still not being made permanent. He said the employees had continued to work for years on low wages, but promises regarding regularisation had yet to be fulfilled.

He warned that if the workers’ issues were not addressed without delay, the protest campaign would be widened. According to the union’s announced plan, demonstrations will begin in different union councils of the city from April 20.

Protest schedule announced

Raja Haroon Rasheed said protest rallies would be held at Suthra Punjab Agency Iran Road on April 20, General Bus Stand Pirwadhai on April 22, Shahbaz Sharif Hockey Ground Union Council on April 24, Mukha Singh Estate on April 27, Children Park Committee Chowk on April 29, and Potohar Town, Kotha Kalan, Dhok Chaudhrian on May 2.

He said the protest movement would enter a new phase from May 4, when the rallies would turn into protest camps. Under that plan, employees would continue working only until 10am, after which they would stop work and join the protest camp.

Raja Haroon Rasheed also referred to the approaching Eid-ul-Adha and said the union could be compelled to adopt a stricter course if its demands were still not accepted.

He further warned that if the demands were not accepted, sanitation work in the city would be halted, adding that responsibility for such a situation would rest with the administration.

The protest centred on the workers’ demand that long-serving daily-wage sanitation staff be made permanent. Union leaders said the employees had continued to perform their duties despite low pay and were now seeking implementation of earlier assurances regarding regularisation.

The announcement of a citywide protest schedule indicates that the workers plan to continue their campaign over the coming weeks unless the Punjab government addresses their demands.