CDA Employees Protest Against Planned Privatization of Sanitation Directorate

Islamabad: Employees of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) staged a large protest outside the CDA Headquarters on Tuesday against the planned privatization of the Sanitation Directorate, demanding that the decision be withdrawn and employees’ rights protected.

The demonstration was organized by the CDA Mazdoor Union (CBA) and attended by a large number of sanitation workers and other employees. Addressing the protesters, Union General Secretary Chaudhry Mohammad Yaseen and President Aurangzeb Khan said the privatization move would threaten the livelihoods of thousands of workers and negatively affect the institution’s performance.

The union leaders criticized the CDA management for allegedly making the decision without consulting the elected representatives of employees. They said sanitation workers have played a vital role in keeping Islamabad clean and green, and replacing them through privatization is unacceptable.

The protesters urged the CDA to modernize the sanitation department by providing advanced machinery, vehicles, equipment, and adequate manpower instead of outsourcing its operations. They argued that privatization is not a solution and could undermine both service quality and employee welfare.

The union also demanded immediate negotiations with employee representatives, withdrawal of the privatization plan, implementation of court decisions regarding employees’ plot allotments, and payment of pending dues, including Eid and Easter allowances.

Meanwhile, CDA officials maintained that the proposed outsourcing of waste collection and sanitation services in Islamabad would not affect the job security or legal rights of regular employees. Officials said the authority is moving ahead with a Rs17.9 billion outsourcing project, for which financial bids have already been opened. The bids are currently under technical review before a final decision is made.

According to officials, around 1,100 permanent sanitation workers may be placed under the supervision of the selected contractor, a proposal strongly opposed by the union. While CDA management insists employees’ rights will remain protected, officials acknowledge that a lack of communication with the union has created uncertainty among the workforce.