SEA dials up pressure on government with hunger strike

PTI calls on govt to withdraw pension reform notifications, address their legitimate demands

KARACHI:

Under the banner of the Sindh Employees Alliance (SEA), a symbolic hunger strike camp was set up outside the Karachi Press Club, calling for the acceptance of employees' demands. The protest was led by SEA leaders, with active participation from female employees.

Participants of the camp said that the hunger strike follows the complete lockdown (strike) observed from September 23 to 27, in accordance with decisions of the SEA's central leadership. Leaders at the camp declared their complete rejection of pension deductions and announced, "our demands include the payment of group insurance and benevolent funds at the time of retirement, along with an increase in salaries in proportion to inflation."

The leaders warned that if their demands are not met, they will stage a sit-in protest outside Bilawal House on October 6.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh has expressed support for the ongoing protest by government employees and submitted a resolution in the Sindh Assembly backing their cause. The resolution was presented by PTI MPA Sajjad Ali Somro.

The resolution demands that the Sindh government withdraw all notifications issued under the pension reforms and accept the legitimate demands of the protesting employees.

It states that the economic oppression of Sindh's government employees can not be tolerated. The government's attempts to undermine employees' economic rights under the guise of pension reforms are unjust and oppressive. Government employees rely on their pensions to sustain themselves after retirement, and depriving them of this right is a grave injustice.

Somro highlighted that despite repeated assurances, employees are yet to receive any practical relief or withdrawal of the contentious notifications. He added that educational institutions across the province have been closed for over a week, putting students' futures at risk. Further shutdowns will not only disrupt education but also impact other public service sectors.

PTI Sindh emphasised the need for immediate and effective measures to end the closure of government institutions.