Punjab employees announce strike, hunger protest on September 8 amid standoff with govt
PTC Web Desk: The ongoing tussle between the Punjab government and its employees is intensifying, with the Sanjha Mulazam Manch announcing that its protest will continue until the government addresses their demands.
Manch president Sukhchain Singh Khehra said, as per the earlier announced programme, ministerial staff across Punjab would go on mass leave and observe a strike on Tuesday, September 8. Employees in Chandigarh and Mohali will also stage hunger strikes outside their respective offices.
According to Khehra, the employee organisations had given the Punjab Government an ultimatum to withdraw a letter issued against employees by September 7. However, the letter has not been withdrawn so far.
Following this, the unions have decided to go ahead with their planned protest programme.
Ministerial staff to observe mass leave
Clerical and other ministerial staff will remain on mass leave as part of the protest. Employees in Chandigarh and Mohali will hold hunger strikes outside government offices.
The protest is also linked to the alleged attack on employee leader Mohanjeet Singh of village Sheron in Sangrur. A union meeting was held on Sunday to discuss the issue and decide the next course of action.
Complete work boycott in Chandigarh and Mohali
As part of the programme, employees in all directorates in Chandigarh, government offices in Mohali, the Punjab Civil Secretariat and FCR offices will observe a complete work boycott on September 8. Employees will also sit on a one-day hunger strike in support of Mohan Jeet Singh.
Employees to wear black clothes and badges
During the protest, employees have been asked to wear black clothes or put on black badges as a mark of protest against the government's policies. The unions have said that the demonstrations will remain peaceful and disciplined.
A special monitoring team comprising retired employees has also been formed to ensure the protest programme is properly implemented.
The team will visit different offices on September 8 and review the situation. It will also monitor whether employees are working in offices despite the strike call.
Employee organisations have been asked to ensure maximum participation from their respective departments to make the protest successful.
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- PTC NEWS
