LAHORE: All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union on Wednesday protested against proposed privatisation of the power distribution companies (Discos).

The power workers organised a protest rally in front of the Lahore Press Club and demanded the prime minister to review the decision of privatisation of three profitable electricity distribution companies -Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Gujranwala Electric Supply Company (Gepco) and FaisalabadElectric Supply Company (Fe sco) -in wider national and public interest.

The workers pointed out that they had been performing double duties at the risk of their lives for the last seven and ahalfyears on accountof a ban imposed on recruitment, while the quantum of work had been rising day by day.

They demanded the prime minister to order filling of more than 50 percent vacant posts in the distribution companies at the earliest.

They demanded that pension of the employees should not be reduced and that Genco power houses staff be adjusted in otherDiscos at the earliest.

The protesters opposed imposition of restrictions on the workers` fundamental right to freedom of association in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. The workers said they would be compelled to protest at Islamabad if the government did not accept their demands.

The rally was addressed by union secretary generalKhurshid Ahmad, along with Haji Younas Kamboh, Osama Tariq, Haji Liaqat, Nosher Khan, Malik Zahid, Hassan Munir Bhatti, Shahbaz Thakur, Shafgat Javed, Mehar Jameel, Rana Rafi, and Amanullah Khan.