Employees hold rally against Punjab govt’s new ‘anti-worker’ policies

MALAKWAL: Hundreds of employees took out a protest rally against government’s alleged anti-worker policies on Thursday.

According to details, a large number of the government employees, including teachers, staged a protest rally and declared the Punjab government policies anti-employees. The protesters, led by Punjab Teachers Union (PTU) President Muhammad Bashir Warraich, demanded cancellation of leave encashment, changes in pension rules, and abolition of Rule 17-A.

They criticised the government decision to privatise schools and hospitals. The rally, which began at the district council hall and ended at the DC office, was attended employees from across the district. The protesters carried banners and placards, and raised slogans against the government.

The PTU leaders alleged that the government had become a slave to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was implementing anti-employee and anti-people policies. They announced plans for a nationwide protest on January 22, where employees would gather in provincial capitals and in front of the Parliament to demand changes to the government policies. The protest rally was also attended by leaders from other unions, including the All Government Employees Grand Alliance, Class Four Employees Union, and APCA.