LG workers end protest as salaries released

PESHAWAR: The dispute between employees and Capital Metropolitan Government Mayor was resolved on Tuesday after the latter handed the cheques for salaries of the workers to office-bearers of union.

The union of the workers at the Capital Metropolitan Government had been protesting for the last five days to demand the release of salaries and resolution of other issues. United Municipal Workers Union president Malik Muhammad Naveed Awan, general secretary Waqar Ahmad and elected representatives were present on the occasion.

Earlier, Mayor Zubair Ali had said that some elements were behind the ongoing crisis in the Capital Metropolitan Government. He had alleged those elements wanted to paralyse the capital metropolitan government for the vested interests.

The mayor had accused the Local Government Department of fomenting the unrest. He had said that it was the responsibility of the caretaker government, Local Government Department and Capital Metropolitan Government to work together and expose the elements behind the episode.

He said that it was regrettable that such incidents were happening in the caretaker government. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was ruling KP when he assumed charge as mayor.

Zubair Ali said that even the PTI government did not create such conditions and the system was allowed to function. He had claimed that the conspiracy against him was hatched under the supervision of the Local Government Department.

However, when the issue was resolved on Tuesday and the union called off the strike, Mayor Zubair Ali addressed the function and said that he cared for the welfare of the workers.Zubair Ali said that a deliberate action by some elements had disrupted the congenial atmosphere at the Capital Metropolitan Government. He said that he had supported the union strikes in the past and had provided them guidance.

He said that it was not just the issue of salary. You should think about the causes that led to the situation, Zubair Ali said, expressing hope that president Malik Naveed and other office-bearers of the union would work to identify the causes of such incidents.

He said that Rs30 million had been allocated for the House Building Advance for employees which would be provided with the support of the union. Unity Municipal Workers President Malik Naveed thanked the mayor and assured him of his support in future.