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Essential Services Act enforced in USC
Thu, June 18, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The government has enforced the Essential Services Act, 1952, in the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) for a period of six months, says a press release issued here on Wednesday.
The federal cabinet had on June 2 approved a request by the Ministry of Industries and noted that the Act could be further extended by the government.
On June 10, the government issued a notification for implementation of the Maintenance of Essential Services Act, 1952, and now it has been enforced in the USC with effect from June 11.
While declaring the USC an essential service, the government said all utility stores will be operational in the days of any natural disaster, emergency or epidemic outbreak and they will continue its services for the public.
The Ministry of Industries said the Act would ensure welfare of the people by providing uninterrupted supplies of essential food items during the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown.
Labour union terms the move tantamount to encroaching upon legal rights of employees
“The importance of the USC has increased manifold to maintain supply of essential commodities in the country under the emergency situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation has also listed the provision of food and other essential goods in its guideline to meet demand under emergency situation,” a summary of the ministry said.
The Act is applicable to every federal organisation whose job is to provide essential services to the people in case of natural disasters and emergencies.
A ministry official clarified that union activities in the USC had not been banned, but its employees could not observe strikes, lockdowns or any such act.
Meanwhile, Syed Arif Hussain Shah, chairman of the USC’s CBA union, said the government move was tantamount to encroaching upon the legal rights of employees.
He said the USC management was misleading the government to cover up its corruption. A committee headed by the National Accountability Bureau chairman should be set up to expose their corruption, he added.
Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2020
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