Hunger Strike unto Justice

Sindh Health Department has not released their salaries since 2017 despite orders of SHC and the Chief Minister.    

By GR Junejo

Mithi

Some four dozen lower-grade employees of Sindh Health Department are agitating for release of salaries, as according to them they have not been paid since 2017.

The protesting employees have setup their camp outside local press club and are observing hunger strike on daily basis since last ten days. “We will continue protest and hunger strike unto justice,” Fahim Junejo, Ali Nawaz Rahmoon, Loang Samo, Alji Bheel and other protesters told newsmen.

“We have been performing regular duties since appointment and even performed during the emergency situations like Covid-19, Anti-Polio Campaigns etc. but the department has stopped their salaries,” they told.

According to protesting employees, they were appointed in the year 2015 but later the department cancelled their fitness certificates, which they challenged in Sindh High Court. The court had ordered Sindh Health Department for reinstatement of employees in 2017. Following the court order, the department allowed 49 employees to rejoin but didn’t release salaries since then. The Chief Minister had also issued directives to the health department for releasing salaries of 49 employees in 2019 but the authorities of health department didn’t pay heed to SHC orders and the Chief Minister’s directives.

The protesting employees told that they have been passing through hard times depending on loans but now their families are at the verge of starvation.

They appealed to the Sindh High Court and the Chief Minister to take notice and resolve their issue.

The protesting employees include dispensers, gardeners, watchmen etc.

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