PTCL Strikes Enter 14th Day, Management At Last Talks to Unions

Just like we predicted on the first day of strike, PTCL management has, at last, opted to negotiate with union leaders after taking a hard stance earlier by going into courts and wasting good two weeks of its

customers.

Fearing the sit-in call by employees on August 31^st, PTCL management just decided to meet union leadership on Sunday evening.

Mr. Walid Irshad, President PTCL, Mr. Mazhar Hussain, SEVP HR, other top management met at least a dozen union leaders.

Reportedly, PTCL is of the view that none of the private sector organizations increased salaries by 50 percent; however, keeping in view the current inflation, management increased 30 percent salaries to benefit company employees. Last reports said that talks are yet to be concluded.

This drama is now repeated every year in July-August, when PTCL management (now looks it deliberately) confronts its workforce.

Just in case if you don’t know, this year PTCL management decided to increase salaries by 50 percent of salaries that employees used to get in 2008, instead of their current salaries, while the government of Pakistan had decided to increase salaries by 50 percent of their current salaries for all government employees, including following organization:

• PTCL
• PCB
• EGD
• PSEB
• NTC
• SCO
• TIP
• TF
• PTET
• Virtual University
• USF
• ICT R&D Fund

This was a daring move by PTCL management, especially well knowing the consequences; it decided to act like conventional Arab enterprise.

Technically speaking, PTCL management is not under government of Pakistan, due to the historical decision of Privatization Commission of Pakistan when it gifted the managerial control of the company to Etisalat against purchase of mere 26 percent shares.

Now, the PTCL workforce considers themselves Government employees and are expecting similar treatment as of any other government institute. But they are un-aware of the reality that PTCL is not in hands of Government anymore, it is being controlled, run and administered by Etisalat.

On other hands, PTCL management must consider its suffering customers who are left with no communication option during the strikes.

Strikes that entered into its 14th day today have halted the communication system of the country. As per media reports, hundred of thousands of telephone lines are dead, no support and after sale services are being offered by any service center or PTCL exchange.

PTCL employees have locked down the exchanges throughout the country and are protesting on roads for the fulfillment of their demands.

Largest rally, till date, was organized in Rawalpindi yesterday. Union leaders from across the country along with thousands of PTCL employees from Rawalpindi and Islamabad demonstrated in the rally.

Following are some pictures;

Pictures via PTCL Workers

Update: Latest reports mention that Mr. Walid Irshad, President PTCL has accepted employees’ demands, however, official confirmation is being awaited.