Protest: Implementation of service structure demanded

CM had approved of a service structure in 2011, protesters say

FAISALABAD: Scores of employees of the Health Department staged a demonstration on Monday to protest against the delay of implementation of a service structure.

The protesters held up banners and placards. The protest rally began at the Health Executive District Officer’s office and ended at the District Coordination Officer’s (DCO) Complex. The protesters blocked traffic on University Road and staged a sit-in. They shouted slogans demanding prompt implementation of a service structure.

Aneesur Rehman, Muttahida Action Committee of Health Department Employees chairman, said the chief minister had approved a service structure for employees of the Health Department on November 24, 2011. “However, bureaucrats at the top have hindered its implementation,” Rehman said.

Vaccinators Association general secretary Muhammad Imran accused some of the high-ups in the Health Department of demanding bribes to look into the implementation of a service structure.

“The employees of the Health Department, who have been raising their voice to demand implementation of a service structure, are being terrorised and victimised on one pretext or another.” He accused the high-ups of issuing them show cause notices on flimsy pretext.

The protesters threatened to boycott a polio vaccination (launched across the country on Monday) and refusing to work at public hospitals and dispensaries if their demands were not acceded to.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2016.