Islamabad, Dec 3: The All-Pakistan Workers Alliance has strongly criticized the closure of over 1,000 Utility Stores, claiming that this decision disregards previous commitments made by the federal government. In response, the alliance has announced plans to implement an action strategy.
Frustration Over Lack of Consultation
The unions have expressed their frustration over being excluded from discussions about the closure of the outlets, especially since Federal Minister Rana Tanveer had assured that no utility stores would be shut down and no employees would lose their jobs. Furthermore, the promised consultations regarding subsidies and restructuring have not yet occurred.
Demands for Reopening and Payment of Dues
The alliance has demanded the immediate payment of outstanding dues to the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) and called for the reopening of the stores. They accused the government of deliberately pushing a profitable institution into financial hardship.
Government’s Explanation for Closures
The government has explained that the closures resulted from the discontinuation of subsidies on August 18, 2024. As a result, maintaining outlets in every union council became financially unfeasible. The Ministry of Industries and Production stated that many stores were either operating at a loss or generating low sales.
Exploring Cost-Optimization Measures
Authorities are exploring the possibility of merging loss-making stores with profitable outlets to optimize operations. Despite this, workers’ unions emphasize the importance of continuing subsidies to ensure the sustainable operation of the corporation. To date, 446 outlets have been closed, with others facing similar closures based on daily performance evaluations.
