Day of Demonstrations

     Union, is a word which gives protection to its members from exploitation, to raise voices’, protect their rights, united they can vocal against management without any fear, whether it is private, public or government sector, and history books are full of successful incidences’, in which unions mold management in favour of their rights.
    Day before yesterday, I pick the newspaper to read, and front page of supplementary edition of the newspaper, catch my eyes, because out of seven news, five were related to Punjab State government employees, in which different departments government employees unions demonstrate against state government, and question rises here if government employees are not happy, with the policies of state government, as they are also entitle for lot of other additional benefits, other then salary, then how much satisfy will be other groups ,who are working in private firms and have not directly any benefits from government. Below are the details of all the agitations held, day before yesterday –
Punjab Roadways Employees protest gate rally – On the call of Joint Action committee of Punjab Roadways Employees, workers held gate rally, and their demands were –

• Already accepted demands of Roadways employees should be implemented immediately.
• Fleet of 360 Buses’ should be included in the Roadways fleet.
• M.A.C.T. claims should not be put on Drivers and other staff members.
• Workshop staff should be promoted with immediate effect.
• Contractor system should be abolish.
• Direct recruitment in the department.
• Outstanding T.A. & overtime should be disburse immediately
• End of special time ahead of Roadways.

Demonstration against Corporation – Across district, on the call of Punjab State Electricity Board’s joint forum, second day also, there was complete strike, employees are on strike from 15th April, in protest against unbundling of Punjab State Electricity Board and dividing it into two corporation, Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (Powercom) to manage generation and distribution and another Punjab State Transmission Corporation Ltd. (Transco) to manage transmission functions. Both these companies would be fully owned and managed by the State government. Employees Union believes that with corporation of board, employee’s interests have not taken into care & decision of corporation is harmful for employees.
Municipal Committee Employees agitation on second day also – Municipal Employees action Committee Punjab, demonstrate outside municipal office, they were protesting in support of Punjab State Electricity Employees plus also for their co employees who are working part time and temporary basis and demands to make them permanent.
Farmers & Farm Labour Unions burn effigy of State Government – On the call of twenty two farmers and farm labour union’s, in protest against corporation of Punjab State Electricity Board, burn effigy of Punjab Government. During demonstration, while addressing the huge gathering, leaders reveal that with corporation it will end subsidies and harmful for farmers fraternity.
Eleventh day of Teacher’s strike – Teacher’s Union hunger strike enters in the eleventh day, union leaders told that D.E.O. have promise that up to 18th April, lay off primary teacher will be reconstitute, and if he fail to keep their promise then on 19th April, teacher’s will demonstrate in front of D.E.O. office.
        Unions are protesting in favour to protect their rights, but problems face by workers who are non government employees, no body knows, in front of whom, they protest, so that they get out from their problems.