Technicians of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) have threatened to lock basic health units (BHU) across the province if their pending salaries are not released within three days.
The technicians who protested outside the Peshawar Press Club on Thursday say they have not been paid salaries for the past six months.
The demonstrators held placards and banners inscribed with their demands, and chanted slogans against the provincial health department and GAVI, an international non-profit working for increased access to vaccines in underdeveloped and developing countries.
“We have not been paid for the past six months due to which we are facing financial troubles,” said Malik Qamar, president of the EPI K-P Employees Association.
Qamar who was leading the protest further said that EPI staff continues to perform their duties daily but still remain unpaid for their services.
According to Qamar, the association had met the EPI deputy director, special secretary health and the district health officer and informed them of their grievances but their complaints fell on
deaf ears.
“Technicians and polio teams continue to work despite militant attacks and deteriorating law and order. We immunise hundreds of children daily and for all our efforts we are not even paid on time,” said Qamar.
He added if the pending salaries are not released in three days they will lock up BHUs and protest in front of the Chief Minister House till their demands are met by the relevant authorities.
Health workers of the province frequently protest against non-payment of salaries. On August 27, lady health workers lady health supervisors and EPI K-P staff also protested against not being paid for a measles campaign. The government later cleared their dues.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2014.
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