Successful negotiations In Quetta Balochistan between the WASA union, District Management, and the Management of the water and sanitation authority- WASA led to the acceptance of protestors’ demands. The Strike ended on the seventh day.
The employees of the WASA have achieved a significant victory following a week-long protest. Despite the ongoing ban on public sector unions in Balochistan, their collective struggle and strategic negotiations of the WASA Employees Union resulted in an official Notification from the WASA Administration to grant the long-delayed 25% and 20% adhoc relief allowances, as approved by the Government of Balochistan.
Understanding how central their function was in delivering water services to the Quetta, the workers stopped working and declared tool down strike.
On November 8, 2024, after a week of protests, a round of negotiations was held between representatives of the WASA employees, district administration, and WASA officers. The outcome was a clear office order to grant the delayed adhoc allowances with the December 2024 salaries.Official office order no WASA/PS/M/2024/833-38 was issued the same day, confirming this decision and assuring Union of its implementation.
The protest carried out by the WASA Employees Union points to other problems in the public sector. This paper argues that since the Trade unions are banned in Balochistan, this has reduced the capacity of workers to collectively fight for their rights hence denial of fair hearing of their genuine grievances. This case therefore underlines the need to find an appropriate model, where the worker voice and engagement can be fostered, voluntary understandings and mutual practices.
The acceptance of the workers of WASA demands is not just a win for them but also for the public of Quetta. The protest’s peaceful conclusion ensures the smooth resumption of essential public service delivery, reaffirming the worker’s commitment to their critical role in public service said Umer Jatak Chairman of All Pakistan United Irrigation Employees Federation-APUIEF
