Peshawar:
The provincial capital witnessed a complete traffic that was quiet on Wednesday when thousands of government employees took the streets, staging a massive protest and sit-in at the Chowk assembly that blocked Khyber Road and other key arteries, including access routes to hospitals for over 10 hours.
The protest, which was arranged under the banner of government -employed Grand Alliance, began with a demonstration marching from Government High School # 1 to Assembly Chowk.
Protesters raised slogans and demanded a pay rise in line with federal scales, a minimum wage of RS50,000 for workers and restoration of the previous pension mechanism.
Participants included members from all major departments, including teachers, officials and Lady Health Workers. The protesters rejected the recently introduced contributing pension scheme (CPC) and insisted on a return to the traditional pension model.
In addition to wage parity and pension reform, protesters demanded the fulfillment of previous promises of upgrading teachers and called for Lady Health employees to be awarded BPS-9 and BPS-15 based on seniority.
Protesters said they had already held conversations with the provincial financing, but claimed he refused to accept their demands.
As the demonstration entered its last stages, government representatives expanded an invitation to negotiations.
Negotiations were held between union leaders and a government committee where employees were assured that their demands would be reviewed and their concerns dealt with.
After several hours of protest and in the light of the government’s insurance, sit-in was disrupted peacefully.
