LARKANA: The employees of Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC) held a large protest demonstration in front of the Bhutto mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bux near here on Monday demanding payment of 12-months outstanding salaries which have not been paid to employees thus far from BPs-1 to 19 along with 180 pensioners who still are waiting for their pension amount.
The protest was held under the auspices of Sindh Small Industries Corporation Employees Union. Union’s Central President Noor Ahmed Khoso, General Secretary Muhammad Juman Channa, Muhammad Yousif Dars, Sarfraz Ahmed and others participated in the protest in large numbers. They came from Larkana, Sukkur & Hyderabad divisions and were holding placards, large banners and were chanting slogans in favour of their demands. Later they also staged a massive sit-in there which continued for sometime. While talking to newsmen, these union leaders said that one thousand SSIC employees from BPS-1 to 19 are facing acute hardships living a life under miserable conditions and worst affected are their families who are suffering for no fault of theirs at all. They said that hunger, economic devastation and poverty had complicated their day to day affairs. They said that 180 pensioners have also been denied their monthly pension amount which has complicated the situation. They said that the Sindh Government is annually sanctioning 200 million rupees for payment of salaries & pension to SSIC employees whereas actual requirement is Rs 350 million, that is why, they added, this shortfall occurs every year which needs to be increased forthwith. They said that they cannot pay school fees of their kids hence they have been forced to remain out of schools which is against the spirit of equity & justice. They said that they cannot even pay pocket money to their little children. In this situation, they added, there remains only one path for them to end their lives. They said that the PPP government provided employment but corrupt bureaucrats have ruined their lives by denying them their monthly pay. They said their protest will continue till their just demands are accepted. They said that finding no other way they have reached at the political hub of the PPP and have made a complaint to the martyred leaders. They urged Sindh Government to take notice of the matter and warned that if their issue is not resolved before April 04, then they will also hold a huge protest during the gathering which is expected to be addressed by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
