By Kehkashan Tabbasum
Lahore : The junior and middle executives and engineers of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited have demanded the removal of certain disparities in salaries and implementation of the policies approved in the HR Manual.
In a representation addressed to the SNGPL Managing Director dated April 20, 2024, the SNGPL junior and middle executives and engineers said that they had been the most deprived segments of the organization as they had been struggling hard to meet their daily needs owing to the company’s ironic compensation packages.
These executives and engineers have to work in hostile and challenging environments with limited resources sometimes in hazardous conditions like as frequent incidents of shootings, beatings, threats, harassment and legal court cases registered against them by high profile individuals or general public inside or outside the SNGPL premises on a repeated basis.
They underlined that even though the SNGPL has consistently been recording high profits for years, largely due to the persistent efforts of its junior and middle executives and engineers (I to VI), yet not a single penny has been granted to them from this windfall profit. Such actions and practices by the SNGPL authorities have created a sense of deprivation among the hardworking staff.
They have requested the SNGPL Managing Director to implement the policies approved in the HR Manual as well as approved time to time like as release of full CPI since financial year 2020-21; disbursement of pending portion of 50% CPI for FY 2019-20 on immediate basis; disbursement of Disparity Allowance vide circulars no. F.4(3)R-4/2011-Revision dated: 26-Jul-2021, F.4(3)R-4/2011-Revision dated: 06 Sep-2022, F.4(3)R- 4/2011-Revision dated: 31-Oct-2022 & F.4(3)R-4/2011-Revision dated: 02-Aug-2023 and revision in salary structure of junior and middle executives and engineers inducted after 2012 to eliminate disparity as directed by OGRA.
The junior and middle executives and engineers further demanded to formulate a long-term strategy for regular and equitable salary adjustments; finalization of the APR before 31st July each year positively; formulation of encashment policy for un-availed privilege leaves during each calendar year; grant of 20% of basic salary to executives and engineers as inhospitable station allowance till their posting remains.
Furthermore, they demanded upward revision of TA/HA rates bringing them at par with prevailing market rates as same has not been revised since 2006; promotion criteria should be re-examined keeping in view the latest HR practices; formulation of compensatory leaves policy or overtime for executives and engineers working beyond office hours; development of subsidized housing/personal loan/home building and vehicle financing policy besides formulating policy for provision of company allocated vehicle 1000CC to Grade VI Executives along with insurance, fuel and maintenance allowance without driver wages.
Moreover, the HR grievance committee should be reconstituted and given more authority. It should examine all cases where executives disagree with their APR and recommend corrective actions on an individual basis and the SNGPL should provide safe and hazard free working environment and aid any/all incidents of threats, harassment, beatings, shootings and legal court cases registered against junior and middle executives and engineers.