USC workers protest dismissals of 2,600 employees in Islamabad

Islamabad: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) union held a protest in federal capital on Monday against the dismissal of 2,500 to 2,600 daily wage employees.

The protest took place outside the USC head office in Blue Area, and union leaders warned that a sit-in might be organized in the capital if their demands for reinstatement are not met. The government decided to lay off daily wage workers from utility stores across the country as part of its "rightsizing" policy.

The layoffs, affecting around 2,500 to 2,600 employees, were approved by the USC's board of directors. The zonal offices have already started issuing termination orders, signaling the start of the downsizing process.

This decision is part of the government's broader effort to reduce costs and rationalize the workforce. The restructuring is being done to address the financial issues USC is facing.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, recently clarified that the government does not plan to shut down utility stores, but instead intends to restructure them.