Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Saturday announced regularisation of 471 contract employees of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). She made this announcement during a function, held at PTV Headquarters and attended by a large number of PTV employees.
The minister said that the decision was made at PTV Board of Directors meeting Friday night. By regularisation of contract employees of PTV, present government has fulfilled promise of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, she added. She said that the PPP, in its manifesto, had announced before 2008 elections that all contract employees in government institutions would be regularised. It may be mentioned that 800 PTV employees have been regularised in the first phase.
The minister said that the Board of Directors, besides approving regularisation of 471 employees, also decided that the PTV employees would be paid arrears of their increased salaries before Eidul Fitr. The minister said that those PTV employees who have not been regularised in this phase should not lose heart as the government would continue this process in phases and they will be regularised during the next phase.
Dr Firdous said the revolutionary step of regularisation of PTV employees was taken on the directions of the President and Prime Minister. She appreciated the efforts of PTV MD Yusuf Baig Mirza and his team in regularisation of the PTV employees. She said that government has tried to follow the criteria for regularisation, however if someone feels that he was ignored without justification, doors are open for all.
The minister said that the government has fulfilled its responsibility by regularising contract employees and now it is the responsibility of the employees to work hard. She congratulated the employees for their appointment in PTV and advised them to work more devotedly and enthusiastically to bring a good name for the organisation.
Earlier, MD PTV said his organisation is playing a major role in promoting the national culture, heritage and ideology. He said it is also highlighting the policies and programmes of the government and after regularisation its experienced staff will get a sense of security of job to work with peace of mind in the interest of the organisation.
Leaders of both groups of the employees union, while speaking on the occasion, paid rich tributes to the PPP government for its bold pro-workers steps during past three years. They said that in its present term, PPP government has regularised PTV employees twice. They also appreciated the PPP government for its pro-workers polices and saving the interests of labour class. They hoped that IRO for resumption of CBA union activities would be issued soon.