Hundreds of tourism development officials to be laid off from next month: report

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government has finalised a plan to lay off more than 400 employees of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) through a 'golden handshake' scheme.

According to a report published in The News, sources at the PTDC have said that hundreds of workers will be laid off starting the end of next month. The list of employees to be sacked has been made as well. 

The PTDC Employees Union has managed to obtain a stay order from the National Industrial Relations Commission against the move, The News reported, citing President of the Employees Union PTDC Majid Yaqoob. 

Yaqoob, along with other union representatives, said that earlier the government had planned to lay off 137 employees, while accommodating other staff, in different sections of Punjab Tourism Department. 

However, under a new plan, over 400 regular employees are being let go, Yaqoob claimed, saying that workers were being laid off with just three basic salaries, the provident fund and gratuity dues. 

"The government promised to provide jobs to the unemployed but is instead terminating services of PTDC employees, which is equal to creating joblessness," the union president remarked.

Managing Director PTDC Syed Intikhab Alam told The News that the decision to let go around 300 employees of the tourism corporation had been finalised under a 'golden handshake' scheme.

"The affected employees would be paid three additional salaries when they are laid off," he said, adding, "The union representatives have managed to obtain a stay against the decision". 

Alam noted that the government would now approach the NIRC to present their point-of-view and enforce the decision that had been made regarding the PTDC employees. 

"Before the plan to enforce the decision, we have deliberated comprehensively in a cabinet meeting. The government is committed to restructure and revamp tourism sector," he remarked. 

"In accordance with the restructuring plan of tourism sector, decision to lay off PTDC regular employees has been taken. It is in best interest of tourism, which include its restructuring," Alam added. 

Originally published in The News