'More than 50 pc of CEB staff back at work'

The Power and Energy Ministry yesterday claimed that more than 50 percent of CEB office and area staff are reporting to work despite the ongoing strike launched by CEB trade unions and requested employees joining the strike to report back for work without fearing threats and intimidation posed by union big wigs.

The ministry which added that all CEB engineers have agreed to perform round the clock duties to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply said the army will deal with saboteurs who try to prevent CEB workers from reporting for duty through threats and intimidation. Employees willing to resume work can inform the army on hot line 011-3075792 if they face any threat or intimidation from any quarter.

The ministry in a press release issued yesterday said certain isolated incidents of sabotage to electricity supplies had been reported to certain CEB regional offices yesterday.

These included the inactivation of main distribution network by throwing bicycle chains and attempts to inactivate transformers. The public are requested to inform police hotline 119 or Army hotline 011-3075792 if any damage had been caused to transmission lines or transformers in their areas.

The release also added that if the contribution of Electrical Superintendents and technical staff is not received by today steps would be taken to recall retired superintendents and technical staff for service and fill other vacancies by conducting interviews soon.

The CEB Management is currently having discussions with technical institutes to employ trained labour on a temporary basis through an institutional agreement.