Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Utility Store union closed down all the outlets across the country on Friday, a day before the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
According to the chairman of the union, outlets and offices will remain shut until their demands are met.
President All Pakistan Workers Unions Syed Arif Shah said, “the union had demanded a coronavirus risk allowance for all the employees, regularisation of daily wagers and contractual workers, and up-gradation of sales and warehouse staff.”
He demanded a 10% hike in salaries effective from July 1, 2019, and double salary for March 2020. Shah urged the prime minister to resolve their longstanding issues. He said that earlier double pay was announced for the workers of the utility stores amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The citizens across the country faced difficulties due to the untimely closure of the utility stores as they struggled to buy basic need items before the first fast of Ramadan.
In Lahore, the utility stores were locked up while the staff was nowhere to be seen. “We are already worried due to the coronavirus issue, now the utility stores closure have added to our misery,” lamented a customer.
In Larkana, 52 utility stores were closed across the district as the employees observed the strike. Union leader Mohammad Asif said that the stores will remain shut until their issues are resolved.
