ISLAMABAD: In the second phase of their ongoing protest, government employees from across Pakistan convened at Q Block of the Pak Secretariat on Wednesday under the banner of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA). The demonstrators voiced their demands for substantial salary hikes and the reversal of pension reforms, warning of an indefinite sit-in if their grievances are not addressed by February 10.
Key Demands and Protest Actions
The employees demanded a 200% increase in house rent, medical, and
conveyance allowances, in line with recommendations made by the Pay and Pension
Committee in 2020. Additionally, they called for:
- Regularization
of contract and daily-wage workers.
- Restoration
of employees dismissed under the government’s rightsizing scheme.
- Reversal
of tax increases on employee salaries.
- Withdrawal
of recent reforms related to leave encashment and pensions, which they
argue disproportionately affect teachers and government servants.
AGEGA, which represents over 100 unions and associations from various
government departments, initiated its protest on January 6 with employees
wearing black armbands. The demonstration escalated on Wednesday, with
participants gathering at Q Block and marching toward the Parliament building.
Leadership and Speeches
AGEGA Chief Coordinator Rehman Ali Bajwa led the march and addressed the
crowd in front of Parliament, highlighting the disparities in salary increases.
Bajwa criticized the preferential treatment given to judges, parliamentarians,
and select government officials, who have received significant pay raises while
other employees were overlooked.
Bajwa also emphasized the importance of improving management and
restructuring government institutions rather than resorting to privatization.
"We demand fairness in addressing employees’ concerns and will continue
our struggle until these issues are resolved," he stated.
Former president of the Federal Government College Teachers Association, Dr.
Rahima Rehman, added her voice to the rally, decrying recent pension and leave
encashment reforms. She argued these changes have unfairly burdened educators
and other government employees.
Peaceful Protest and Future Actions
The demonstration ended peacefully, with participants dispersing in an
orderly manner. However, AGEGA leaders issued a firm warning: if their demands
are not met by February 10, the employees will stage an indefinite sit-in
outside Parliament.
The protest, which also saw parallel demonstrations in provincial capitals,
underscores growing dissatisfaction among government employees with policies
perceived as neglecting their rights and welfare. The coming weeks will test
the government’s responsiveness to these demands and its ability to address the
concerns of its workforce.
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