Over 18,000 Employees Face Uncertainty as Subsidy Removal and Shutdown Plans Trigger Protests
The federal government has made the decision to shut down 16 departments, including utility stores, as part of a broader restructuring plan. The departments affected by this closure include the Pakistan Engineering Council, National Fertilizer Sameda, and others.
Preparations for the shutdown are already underway, with timelines ranging from one week to three months for the closure process. In addition, the government has completely removed the subsidy on items available at utility stores across the country.
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This decision has sparked concerns among more than 18,000 employees, with many considering protests over the impending closures. Of the utility store employees, over 11,000 are directly affected, including 6,000 permanent staff, while the rest are on contract or daily wages. The utility store management has been given a two-week deadline to resolve transaction issues with companies, further fueling the uncertainty among the workforce.
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