Daily Times

It’s a matter of fact that a man is a social animal. Naturally, it is in human instinct to live in association with other fellow beings. The domain of association may be as small as that of two peoples interacting with each other and its scope may be broader or larger as that of a group of people connected for some “cause.” It is pertinent to mention that ‘common interest’ is the unifying force in associations. Moreover, it is safe to say that associations are directly proportional to the ‘common interest’ of its members. The greater the connectivity for common interest, the larger will be the strengthening in the bond of association. The flavour of association varies from student association to trade, business and employees’ associations.

The notable examples of associations, which are working for employees’ benefit at large are the New Zealand Public Service Association (PSA).

The PSA works for the interest of members working in different government departments, state-owned enterprises, community and government-funded agencies. Historically, the PSA stood against the cuts in pays of employees, which caused turbulence and hardships for employees. At that critical juncture, the loans provided by Public Service Investment Society, which was set up by the PSA in 1928. This provided relief to a greater extent. In later journey, the advocacy for public servants led towards restoration of salaries, right for political engagements, and fight for equitable salaries without gender discrimination which later stages help in passing Government Service Equal Pay Act and many other initiatives taken by the PSA , which supported the rights of employees and benefitted the society to a greater extent.

It is pertinent to mention here the other renowned associations and unions which are working for benefit of employees and public are American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Association for Public policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), American Public Work Association (APWA), Federal Managers Association (FMA), Federal Employees Association (FEA), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and many other associations and unions which are working progressively since decades and benefitting the society to a greater extent. The aim and mission of the said associations are of a multitude in nature varying from the promotion of socio-economic interests of federal workers to empowerment, better working condition, networking, capacity building, enhancing professionalism and accountability. Besides, the core objective lies in providing excellence in public service. The more the associations work for public service, the greater the chances of maturity and their survival will be seen. This reflects that the associations, which go far beyond the vested interests of few individuals and work for the betterment of general society have great ‘say’ and ‘more power’ in showcasing their demands and ultimate reach to it.

The more the associations work for public service, the greater the chances of maturity and their survival will be seen

The associations that display their demands with rationale can produce positive results. In our society, the associations like All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union, All Pakistan Clerk Association (APCA), Railway Workers Union, Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), CDA Officers Welfare Association (COWA), Young Doctors Association Pakistan are few to name here, which showed their concerns and raised demands at multiple occasions through different modes of presentation. Whenever the said associations produced rationale in their demands, they gained fruitful results. We can gauge the worth of ‘rationale’ in raising demands from the example that a few months back in June 2019 that the government was planning to introduce axle load management regime to control overloading of public service vehicles. At the moment, Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association (PSAA) stood against the decision with the logic that post repercussions of the new policy would be traffic congestion at the ports and cities and increase in the cost of transportation. Also, they supplemented their notion that there is limited wagon and engines with Pakistan railway so it is not possible to carry extra volume through railways. Furthermore, additional diesel consumption will pave the way for fuel import dependency, and it will increase the trade deficit. Besides, PSAA Chairman showed severe concern of reputable business houses due to restriction on axle load, as they were predicting approximate loss of Rs 500 billion-plus annually to the economy and demanded Prime Minister, Imran Khan, to intervene the issue and instruct the concerned ministry to revisit the policy. The demand replete with rationale but the decision against their demand is yet in process. In a nutshell, the point here which we may conclude through presenting stance with rationale and logic have great worth. Sooner or later the voice raised with logic through associations keeps significance, and the desired results may be gained by the authorities concerned.

The writer is the Assistant Director (Research and Development) at the Higher Education Commission, Islamabad