Pakistan: Govt employees launch sit-in against proposed privatisation of public schools, amendments to pension regulations

The All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA)  recently launched a sit-in outside the Civil Secretariat in Pakistan's Lahore city against the proposed privatisation of public schools, amendments to pension regulations and stoppage of leave encashment.

As many as 34 organisations of the employees of various Punjab government departments, including health, education and higher education, besides the members of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), are taking part in the sit-in, reported Dawn News.

The protesters were seen chanting slogans against the caretaker government and Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi during their demonstration.

The Punjab government placed barricades outside the Civil Secretariat and also deployed police on the Lower Mall, the newspaper reported.

Punjab Teachers Union President Chaudhry Sarfraz told Dawn News the government was following anti-worker and labour policies and they would not allow it to happen.

He said they would not leave the sit-in until the acceptance of their legal demands while adding that no one from the government arrived at the protest for talks with the protesters.

“The employees from all other cities of the province are reaching the sit-in and they will also stop working in all government offices,” he announced.