THIS is with reference to the report `Officers at Pak Secretariat announce strike from Feb 6` (Feb 1), which spolce of the resentment in certain segments ofthe civilservices against supposed discrimination in the grant of the executive allowance.
As for the people, it is hard to even believe that the federal government is planning to raise the allowances of grade 17-22 officers of the Federal Secretariat by 150 per cent. It only confirms that all austerity measures and media sermons by the governmentare essentially no more than an eyewash for the ordinary taxpayers.
At this junction, when Pal(istan begs and bleeds for every penny, it is utterly sinful for the government to raise the allowances of an already pampered class;essentiallyfor political appeasement.
Does the government have any idea that not a single sanitation worker, working either at Sindh Solid Waste Management Board or in various municipal committees of Sindh, receives even the current minimum wage? One really wonders wow we, as a nation, accept such extreme exploitation,cruelty and disparity.
The government should cancel this completely callous raise for its pampered officers, and divert those funds to provide minimum wages to all the daily-wagers.
