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“Privileges and Benefits of Engineers and Administrative Officers in Telecom Companies in Pakistan are declining rapidly in comparison with those enjoyed by the unionized staff in the company” said by Zulfiquar Ali Sanghi Central Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Union [PTEU] at the 3^rd South Asia Telecom Employees Council [SATUC] Meeting” held in Lahore, Pakistan. The SATUC leaders commented that Professional and Managerial Staff [PMS] in the telecom companies are at a disadvantageous position as they are prevented from unionization through legal impediments. Furthermore, the companies in Pakistan have the practice of offering artificial promotions and keep them out of coverage of collective agreements. Over the years this has created a disparity between the pay scales of PMS and the unionized staff in the company.

UNI Apro Telecom organized a workshop for UNI Pakistan Telecom Sector affiliates in Lahore, Pakistan prior to the SATUC meeting with the objective of preparing the union leaders to organize and recruit PMS in to unions. At the workshop UNI guidelines for extending union coverage and protection to PMS were explained to the participants. Workshop participants were confident that they will be able to persuade most of their PMS colleagues to join trade unions and fight for their rights, as PMS have lost their administrative and bargaining power as a result of the modernization and restructuring of the Telecom Companies.

The Telecom union leaders were confident that they can win the PMS categories and help them to secure decent work at work place. UNI affiliates requested solidarity support from UNI to convince management to respect trade union rights of PMS since Pakistan has ratified the ILO convention 87.

Petteri Ojanen [TU Finland], Seppo Karppinen, and Sharan Kumar KC, from SASK FINLAND joined the workshop and shared their experiences with the participants. Twenty five participants including three women union activist joined the work shop representing five Telecom unions in Pakistan.

Kun Wardana Abyoto, Director, UNI Apro Telecom, Jayasri Priyalal Director UNI Apro Finance, P&MS Activities and UNI Pakistan Liaison Council implemented the workshop which was supported by SASK Finland. Workshop outcomes were positive and the participants came up with a plan of action to contact the PMS at the workplace and create awareness about trade unions and their benefits to secure decent work for Professionals and Managerial Staff in Pakistan Telecom.