Utility stores union announces strike for indefinite time period

ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Workers Unions of the utility store on Friday announced to observe countrywide shutter down strike for indefinite time period.

According to details, President All Pakistan Workers Unions, Syed Arif Shah announced that the Utility Stores’ employees across the country will go on strike indefinitely from today (Friday) if the demands are not met.

The development comes just a day before the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Syed Arif Shah said, “The union had demanded a COVID-19 risk allowance for all the employees, regularisation of daily wagers and contractual workers, and up-gradation of sales and warehouse staff.”

He said managing director of Utility Stores Corporation has not accepted the demands of the workers.

Arif Shah urged the PM Imran Khan to resolve their longstanding issues. He said that earlier double pay was announced for the workers of the utility stores amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

He demanded a 10 percent increase in salaries effective from 1st July 2019, and double salary for March 2020.

Shah further said that in the current situation, Prime Minister Imran Khan should issue immediate orders to solve the problems faced by Utility Stores Corporation.

People across the country faced difficulties due to the untimely closure of the utility stores as they struggled to buy essential food items before the first fast of Ramadan.