Amritsar (Dawarka Nath Rana): The Punjab Employees Protest intensified on Saturday as employees and pensioners staged a massive demonstration near the residence of Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in Amritsar. The protest took place under the banner of the Punjab Employees and Pensioners Front, Sanjha Mulazam Manch, and Punjab State Ministerial Services Union.
Hundreds of employees and pensioners joined the Punjab Employees Protest to demand the implementation of long-pending service and pension-related benefits. Senior union leaders led the demonstration and warned the Punjab government against ignoring their demands.
Minister Receives Memorandum
Before the protesters marched towards the minister’s residence for a gherao, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO personally reached the protest venue. He accepted the memorandum submitted by the employee unions.
Moreover, the minister assured the protesters that he would discuss their demands with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. He also promised to work towards finding a suitable solution.
As a result, the protesters temporarily suspended their plan to surround the minister’s residence.
Employees Accuse Government of Anti-Staff Policies
During the Punjab Employees Protest, several union leaders addressed the gathering. They accused the Punjab government of introducing anti-employee and anti-pensioner policies since assuming office.
Furthermore, the speakers alleged that the government has used force against protesting employees. They claimed that authorities have lathi-charged protesters and registered false criminal cases against several union members.
Therefore, union leaders demanded that the government stop suppressing peaceful protests and begin meaningful discussions with employee representatives.
Key Demands Raised During the Protest
The Punjab Employees Protest focused on several pending demands affecting government employees and pensioners across the state.
The unions demanded:
- Immediate release of the pending 18% Dearness Allowance (DA)
- Implementation of the 2.59 fitment factor for pensioners
- Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
- Regularisation of all contractual, temporary, and daily-wage employees
- Minimum pay scales for honorarium and incentive-based workers
- Full salary during the one-year probation period
- Restoration of Punjab pay scales instead of the Central pay scale
- Reinstatement of discontinued allowances
- Withdrawal of the ₹200 professional tax
Moreover, union leaders said these demands directly affect the financial security and welfare of lakhs of employees and pensioners in Punjab.
Massive Chandigarh Rally Announced
The employee organisations also announced their next course of action during the Punjab Employees Protest.
They urged employees from every district to participate in a massive state-level rally scheduled for 17 July in Chandigarh. According to union leaders, thousands of employees and pensioners from Amritsar are expected to join the demonstration.
Additionally, they warned that if the government fails to resolve their issues, they will intensify their statewide agitation.
Unions Seek Immediate Dialogue
Union representatives reiterated that they are open to dialogue. However, they insisted that the Punjab government must take concrete decisions instead of making repeated assurances.
Meanwhile, they expressed hope that the Cabinet Minister would raise their concerns before the Chief Minister and Finance Minister at the earliest.
The leaders concluded that the Punjab Employees Protest would continue until the government accepts their major demands and implements employee-friendly policies.
Key Points of the news:
- Employees and pensioners held a Punjab Employees Protest near Harbhajan Singh ETO’s residence.
- The minister accepted a memorandum and promised talks with the Chief Minister and Finance Minister.
- Protesters demanded the release of 18% DA, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, and regularisation of contractual employees.
- Employee unions accused the Punjab government of anti-employee policies and suppressing protests.
- A massive statewide protest rally has been announced in Chandigarh on 17 July.
