Against devolution: JPMC to be on strike today

KARACHI: In what can only be categorised as a desperate attempt to prevent being handed over to the Sindh government, the staff of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) have decided to go on a complete strike on Thursday. “Employees are frustrated with the post-devolution set-up,” said an employee with the administration. “Some staffers have been paid but others have not.

Salaries for nurses and other staff have not even been sent yet. Also, the allowance for those working in the emergency department has finished. These problems did not take place when the institution was under federal control.” The strike is scheduled to start at 8am and is presently set for a day but employees say it may be prolonged depending on the situation. All OPDs, departments as well as the emergency will remain closed. The Express Tribune tried to contact the health department for comment but to no avail.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2011.