Power corpn contractual employees go on strike

About 150 contractual staffers of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) went on strike today at the main office on Ferozpur Road. The protesting linemen said they had been working in the department, risking their lives, for several years, but instead of regularising them, the authorities concerned were allegedly threatening to fire them.

The striking employees raised slogans against the department. They alleged the department made them work on high-voltage lines while they were employed for carrying out repairs on low-voltage lines.

They said linemen had started refusing to work on heavy load lines because the government did not give them any compensation in case something happened to them while working. “Why should we put our lives in danger when the government will not support us? Neither is it regularising us nor is it willing to provide other benefits. Why should we go through all the trouble? Why do they ask us to repair 11,000 kV lines?” asked the striking contractual employees.

Meanwhile, a release by PSPCL Chief Engineer stated that contractual workers were on strike, due to which regular work in the department was affected and the complaints of residents were not addressed. The official said there had been a complaint against a contractual employee for accepting a bribe, following which he was terminated. The striking contractual employees pressed upon the department to call the employee back. The Chief Engineer cleared that the department would not bow under the pressure of the employees and assured people that they would not have to suffer due to the strike.