PHAGWARA: Opposing the privatization policy of Powercom and demanding that all outsourced contract workers be directly absorbed into the department, workers today staged a division-level protest and sit-in under the banner of the Powercom & Transco Theka Mulazam Union, Punjab. The protesters also demanded government jobs, pension benefits, and compensation for the families of workers who lost their lives due to electric shocks during duty.
Addressing the gathering, Phagwara Division President Arshdeep Suman, Meet President Maninder Singh, Cashier Rajwan, Press Secretary Sohan Lal, Sub-Division President Sanjeev Kumar, Manjit, Sunny and others strongly condemned the alleged move of the Punjab Government to privatize the electricity corporation and sell Powercom assets.
Speakers also demanded that the Central Government withdraw the proposed 2025 Electricity Amendment Bill, remove private contractor companies, and provide minimum wages according to the 1948 Act or as per the 15th Labour Conference recommendations. They further urged the government to restore various posts in the power department that were earlier abolished.
Union representatives alleged that due to poor management in the department and lack of safety kits and safety measures, more than 400 workers have died from electric shocks while on duty, and hundreds have been left disabled. Despite this, the government has not provided adequate compensation, proper medical support, or assured jobs to the families of the deceased. Even compensation and jobs secured through previous struggles have not been implemented, they claimed.
The union warned that if their genuine demands continue to be ignored, the agitation would be intensified further