CDA Administration Urged to Withdraw Privatization Decision; CDA Mazdoor Union Files Contempt Petition Against Sanitation Directorate Privatization
Islamabad (Staff Reporter): An important meeting of the Advisory Council of the CDA Mazdoor Union was held at the Sanitation Office in Sector G-6, Islamabad. The meeting was attended by CDA Mazdoor Union General Secretary Chaudhry Muhammad Yaseen, President Aurangzeb Khan, Haji Sabir, Malik Asim, Khalid Mahmood, Chaudhry Zahid, Chaudhry Munir, Haji Yaqoob, Chaudhry Nazakat, Waris Dileep, Saleem Bhatti, Nishat Akbar Satti, Malik Dilshad, Tariq Sharif, Rana Nadeem, Chaudhry Ashfaq Gujjar, Kaleem Ullah Zamri, Tashkeel Javed, Ilyas Tufail, Saleem Rajput, Saleem Baga, along with other office-bearers and representatives of the CBA committees.
The meeting held detailed discussions on the proposed privatization of the sanitation department, issues faced by employees, improvement of the sanitation system, and the future course of action.
Addressing the Advisory Council, CDA Mazdoor Union General Secretary Chaudhry Muhammad Yaseen, along with Waris Dileep, Saleem Bhatti, Nishat Akbar Satti, Malik Dilshad, Tariq Sharif, and other union leaders, stated that the capital city represents the identity and image of a country, and sanitation workers—particularly Christian employees—play a vital role in keeping Islamabad clean despite working under extremely difficult conditions.
They said that these employees perform their duties in extreme heat, cold, and rain under the open sky without adequate protective equipment or basic facilities. They expressed regret that, despite their essential services, proper site offices, rest areas, and other basic amenities have still not been provided. They further stated that the CDA administration is planning to privatize the sanitation department, creating serious concern and anxiety among thousands of employees.
The union leaders said that clear decisions by the Islamabad High Court and the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) already exist on the matter. Despite this, continuing the privatization process amounts to a violation of court orders and contempt of court. They added that the CDA Mazdoor Union has filed a contempt petition before the NIRC, and the honourable member has summoned the relevant CDA officials to appear in person on 27 July.
The labour leaders demanded that, instead of privatizing the sanitation department, the allocated budget should be used to purchase modern machinery, vehicles, and protective equipment to further improve the sanitation system. They also called for the immediate recruitment of staff against vacant positions to strengthen the workforce and ensure better sanitation services for the residents of the capital.
They further stated that a detailed meeting had also been held with CDA Member Environment Abdullah Khurram Niazi, who assured them that the administration is fully aware of the employees’ concerns and that the CBA Mazdoor Union would be consulted before any major decision regarding the sanitation department is taken.
On the occasion, the union demanded that the CDA administration immediately review its decision to privatize the sanitation department and address the concerns of the employees. Otherwise, the Mazdoor Union will convene a General Body meeting within seven days to announce its future protest strategy. The union said it would raise its voice on every legal, constitutional, and democratic forum to safeguard the rights of workers, warning that if the industrial peace of the federal capital is disturbed as a result of the situation, the CDA administration will bear full responsibility.