AKPBS drivers threaten hunger strike against sacking
CHITRAL: Three drivers who worked with Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS) on Tuesday warned that they would go on a hunger strike if the organization did not withdraw its decision of terminating their services.
Ishaq Nabi Shah, Nizar Ali and Dinar Hussain told local reporters that they started working as drivers in Aga Khan Housing Board in 1994. The board promised that their job was permanent and pensionable.
In 2003, the board was merged with the AKPBS and they were also transferred to it as its employees. At that time the management of the AKPBS also assured them that the conditions of their employment would not affect with the merger of the board into the AKPBS.
However, the drivers alleged that after serving in the department for 25 years they were sacked with a two-day notice without giving them any benefits.
They demanded that the higher authorities of the AKDN should take notice of the injustice with them otherwise they would be left with no other option but to launch a hunger strike.
Reporting: Syed Nazir Hussain Shah
AKPBS must not have any policy of retirement benefit like gratuity or provident fund if they have not been paid otherwise technically it is not justified to withhold someone’s benefit without any reason as all type of accumulated benefits are actually liability for the organisan and must be paid. The outgoing staff may have been misguided by someone normally all the support staff are especially updated about the policies by the HR person.