Chandigarh, Hours after Punjab ministerial employees announced extension of their pen-down till September 11, the state government on Tuesday decided to implement ‘no work, no pay’.
On September 4, the Punjab government announced a DA hike for around 85,000 government employees recruited after July 17, 2020, from 42 per cent to 60 per cent.
“I appeal to our employees to end the strike and return to work. We are ready to sit with our employees, listen to their concerns and find a constructive way forward. In Hoshiarpur, employees’ union district president Anirudh Modgil alleged that the government withheld 18 per cent dearness allowance , assured career progression benefits and other allowances of employees.
Cabinet minister Aman Arora, earlier, appealed to employees to resume their duties so that people of Punjab do not face inconvenience. Because of issues that can and should be resolved through dialogue, the people of Punjab should not face any difficulty.
Employees working in various government offices including the civil secretariat, directorates, and district-level offices, are participating in the strike, he said, adding that the government has not yet invited protesting employees to discuss their issues. In a communication forwarded to all chief secretaries, financial commissioners and administrative secretaries on Tuesday, the personnel department said the government has received information from various quarters that many employees mark attendance in respective offices, but remain absent from duties, saying such absence, especially during working hours, “inconveniences” the general public. He further said the state government stands firmly with its employees and is committed to considering and fulfilling every legitimate demand. Pippal Singh, district president, Punjab State Ministerial Services Union said the government had been giving assurances regarding their demands for a long time, but no concrete action had been taken to resolve the issues.
