Ultimatum: LHWs take to the streets in Nowshera

Threaten to boycott polio campaigns if salaries not increased

NOWSHERA: Over 500 Lady Health Workers took to the streets in Nowshera on Friday over the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s failure to increase their salaries and announce a suitable pay scale.

A large number of protesters gathered at Showbra Chowk and blocked various parts of GT Road for two hours. They held placards and shouted slogans against the government for turning a blind eye to their needs.

Speaking on the occasion, LHWs said they had been providing health services to the public through thick and thin.

“We have even put our lives at risk and participated in polio drives,” one of the speakers said. “However, the government has neither increased our salaries nor announced a pay scale for us. Our grievances have been swept under the carpet.”

According to the demonstrators, they have taken to the streets as a strategy of last resort.

“We are facing financial difficulties and are in desperate need of help,” a protester said. “The government needs to announce a pay scale for us, increase our salaries and provide us with other benefits.”

The protesters said they would boycott upcoming polio campaigns if their demands are not met. A large number of commuters were inconvenienced by the closure of the road due to the demonstration.

A day earlier, LHWs protested outside the district health office in Peshawar over the government’s failure to increase salaries. They threatened to boycott campaigns to eradicate polio and other diseases if their demands are not met.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2015.