Sanitation Worker's Suicide Sparks Outrage
The Chief Organiser of TTAP Punjab, Ammar Ali Jan, and TTAP Punjab Information Secretary Shayan Bashir have condemned the death of Zeeshan, a Suthra Punjab sanitation worker who died after setting himself on fire outside the programme’s office. The party leaders alleged that the tragedy was the result of wage theft under the Punjab government’s flagship initiative.
Allegations of Wage Theft and Negligence
In a joint statement, the party leaders claimed Zeeshan had gone to the office to lodge a complaint against a contractor who was allegedly making illegal deductions from sanitation workers’ monthly salaries of Rs21,000. They alleged that the worker was first failed by the contractor and then by the authorities, who, they said, did not address his grievances.
Protests Over Unpaid Wages
The statement further claimed that sanitation workers employed under the Suthra Punjab programme in Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Okara and Sargodha had been protesting for months over unpaid and reduced wages. The party argued that Zeeshan’s death followed repeated warnings that were ignored.
TTAP Demands Action
TTAP demanded criminal proceedings against the contractor, an independent audit of payrolls for all Suthra Punjab contractors, direct payment of workers’ salaries without intermediaries, and immediate compensation for Zeeshan’s family. The statement described the incident as a consequence of alleged exploitation of low-paid sanitation workers and urged the Punjab government to hold those responsible accountable.
