Non-payment of salaries: KMC employees threaten to launch protest demonstrations

The employees of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) have threatened to launch protest demonstrations if their salaries are not released till 15th January 2012. Sources said that despite approval of the summary by Sindh Chief Minister regarding release of about Rs 80 million funds to KMC, the Sindh finance department was using delaying tactics in releasing the funds.
They said that around 32,000 workers (27,000 of KMC and 5,000 of KDA) from grade I to VII could not be paid salaries of December despite approval of monthly grant by the Sindh CM. Moreover employees from grade 8 to 16 have not been paid salaries for two months. Similarly employees who retired or died after 30th June 2011 were still waiting for their post retirement benefits.
Sources said that bureaucratic hurdles were also the factors behind non-release of salaries on time as the concerned Sindh government officials had no interest in the grievances of the KMC employees. President Sajjan Union (CBA) Syed Zulfiqar Shah said that the KMC required substantial amount every month to pay salaries to its staff but it was receiving only a meagre amount which was not enough to meet the expenses.
On the other hand, pensioners of KMC and KDA are also forced to undergo financial ordeals due non-payment of their dues for the last four months. Pensioners alleged that payment of their pension and medical assistance was being delayed deliberately. "Our pensionary benefits are not being paid on time, we have no choice but to initiate legal proceeding against the concerned authorities under civil and criminal provisions of law," said a former employee of KDA.