MULTAN, Feb 9th:Workers of Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) City division on thursday staged a demonstraion against the privatisation of meter-reading system and urged upon the Government to withdraw this decision.The demo was led by Malik Shaukat Ali Central Vice President of Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Labour Union , Malik Anwar Ali ,Abdul Rahim Mujahid, Ch.Muhammad ilyas and Sheikh Shahbaz Ali. They threatened to halt all revenue generating jobs for the utility, including billing, meter reading and bill distribution. “We will not work for an indefinite period; only entertain consumer complaints about power supply,” said Shauat Ali .“We are protesting for the public. If the government privatises meter reading and hand over to private contractor , tariffs will be increased and inflated bills would be received by the consumers which will impact the public,” he said.
“Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) is the best among all 12 power distribution companies in the country as far as revenue generation and losses are concerned,” said the Zonal chairman of the union Malik Anwar Ali. He added the government is privatising ‘the cream’, the most profitable portion at a throwaway price.“We ask the government to stop the privatisation of profitable Pakistan Power Distribution Companies (DISCO) and sit with us to make plans to improve distributors which are facing a loss.” Abdul Rahim Mujahid said, “The government is not concerned about the welfare of labourers and its anti-labour policy will ruin the country’s economy.”
