PPP rejects the federal government’s proposed 7 percent and 10 percent increase in pensions and salaries

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Tuesday rejected the federal government’s proposed 7 percent and 10 percent increase in pensions and salaries

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has rejected the federal government’s proposed 7 percent and 10 percent increase in pensions and salaries, calling it “anti-worker” and “anti-people.”

Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed, senior PPP leader and Incharge of the PPP Labour Bureau, made this criticism in response to the federal budget, codndemning the government for ignoring the working class and salaried segments, and also the key recommendations proposed by the PPP.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Manzoor Ahmed expressed disappointment over the lack of increase in minimum wage or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pensions in the new budget.

He said no meaningful relief measures were introduced for workers and pensioners despite the PPP’s recommendations, and the proposal to limit family pension to just 10 years after the pensioner’s death is not only absurd but inhumane.

“The elderly are expected to survive on air after 10 years of pension to family members,” he remarked.

Ahmed also criticized the continuation of the privatization policy with the proposal to privatize Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), calling it an unwise and detrimental decision that will render the national institutions dysfunctional.

He said the PPP had previously reversed the privatization of key institutions like Pakistan Steel Mills and Karachi Electric (K Electric), which were initiated by the previous government.

“We demand the government immediately reconsider the budget proposals and announce a minimum 50% increase in salaries and pensions, along with the merger of all ad-hoc allowances into basic pay, as was done by PPP during its tenure.”

The PPP leader demanded 100% increase in EOBI pensions, which currently stands at just Rs10,000 per month, and urged the government to raise house rent and conveyance allowances in line with prevailing market rates.

Ahmed said the PPP Labour Bureau will present all these concerns to the party’s top leadership.

“We will urge them to oppose the Finance Bill in its current form and prevent its passage through Parliament,” he added.