SC tells federal, provincial govts to stop harassing LHWs

The bench has taken notice of salary delays for ICT LWHs

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has directed federal and provincial government authorities to ensure that no Lady Health Workers (LWH) is harassed, who are going pillar to post to obtain regularisation letters.

The court has also directed the authorities to ensure that the letters should be dispatched to the residence of LHWs and no illegal demands should be made for providing the letters.

The two judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, heard a suo motu case regarding the regularisation of 106,000 LHWs.

The bench has also sought affidavits from federal and provincial health secretaries to ensure that the letters are delivered to LHWs.

Harassment

Justice Khawaja asked the representatives of LHWs to lodge cases against officials who are harassing them in government offices.

Lamenting over the harship faced by LHWs, he asked Attorney General of Pakistan for how long would LWHs be humiliated.

Delayed salaries

The bench also took notice of delays in salaries of 322 LHWs in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) who has not gotten their salaries since June 2014.

The bench pointed out to the AGP that the court had been wrongly informed that ICT LWHs had been given their salaries this month.

Justice Khawaja warned that the court will not spare anyone when it comes to issues pertaining to fundamental rights.

The hearing of the case was then adjourned until November 21.

Former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken notice over an application filed by LHW Bushra Arain which noted that their salaries are less than minimum wage.

The salaries have been increased by the federal government after the court intervention.

Later on, the court has directed the governments to regularize the services of LHWs.