Punjab Labour Welfare Directorate Announces Meeting for GEPCO CBA Referendum–Official Notification

Labour Welfare Department to Decide GEPCO Workers’ Representation:

The Directorate General of Labour Welfare, Punjab, has officially scheduled a meeting on 26^th February 2025 to finalize the date for the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) referendum for the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO). This comes after the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC), Lahore Bench, ruled that WAPDA and its corporatized companies, including GEPCO, are independent entities.

Previously, the referendum was scheduled for 14^th October 2021 but was delayed due to a court suspension order from the Balochistan High Court and pending legal proceedings. However, with the recent NIRC decision clarifying the status of power distribution companies, there is now no legal barrier to proceeding with the CBA referendum through a secret ballot.

Labour unions representing GEPCO employees are invited to attend the scheduled meeting to finalize the referendum process. Below is the official notification with complete details.

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF LABOUR WELFARE
GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB
62-D, NEW MUSLIM TOWN, LAHORE.

REGISTERED

To

The President/General Secretary,

GEPCO Workers Union, C/o Sialkot Road,

Street Haji Ghulam Muhammad Wali, Gujranwala.

• The President/General Secretary,

GEPCO Employees Pegham Union,

C/o Upper Portion. Additional Accommodation,

Building C&W, Old Anarkali, Lahore.

Memo No: RTU/Pb/790-92

Dated: Lahore the 18-02-2025.

• The President/General Secretary,

GEPCO Labour Power Union, C/o Add. Accommodation,

Building C&W, Old Anarkali, Lahore

Subject:               DETERMINATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT UNDER SECTION 24(2) OF THE PUNJAB INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 2010

Reference the subject cited above.

                              The Learned Member. National Industrial Relations Commission, Lahore Bench Lahore has decided the Case No. 19(16)/2013 & CMA No. 24(88)/2013 vide its Order dated 10.01.2025 and declared the LESCO. FESCO. GEPCO, GENCO. MEPCO and others distribution/ power companies in Pakistan as independent entities/establishments being run by respective Board of Directors and also declared WAPDA establishment as one CBU.

                              Hence, the controversy has been decided by the NIRC Lahore Bench that WAPDA and its corporatized companies are independent or under one umbrella. So, now there is no bar to re- initiate the proceeding regarding holding of referendum through secret ballot in the establishment of GEPCO.

                              As well as you are also aware that the date of referendum through secret ballot for determination of CBA in the establishment of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) was fixed for 14.10.2021. vide this office Order dated 05.10.2021. But, due to suspension of said Order from the Honorable High Court of Balochistan Quetta, the Referendum through secret ballot for determination of CBA in the Establishment of GEPCO could not be conducted at that time. Later on, the said referendum was delayed due to the pendency of above mentioned cases.

                              In view of the above, now a meeting to fix the date of referendum through secret ballot for determination of CBA in the establishment has been fixed for 26/02/2025 at 02:00 PM in the office of the undersigned.

                              You are, therefore directed to attend the meeting on above mentioned date & time, to proceed further into the matter.

Registrar of Trade Unions

Punjab, Lahore

Endst. No. RTU/Pb/793-94                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Dated: 18-02-2025

A Significant Step Towards Fair Representation for GEPCO Workers:

The finalization of the CBA referendum date marks a significant milestone in ensuring fair representation of GEPCO workers. With the NIRC Lahore Bench’s decision confirming the independent status of power distribution companies, the long-awaited referendum process is now set to move forward.

Labour unions and employees are urged to actively participate in the upcoming meeting on 26^th February 2025 to discuss the referendum’s next steps. The outcome will determine which union represents GEPCO workers in negotiations regarding labour rights, wages, and working conditions.

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