GUJRAT: The allied health workers on Thursday observed a complete strike in all public sector facilities and staged a day-long sit-in at the main gate of the district government complex against the administration for not forwarding the inquiry committee’s recommendation of surrendering the services of Gujrat EDO Dr Ijaz Haider.

The EDO was found guilty of misconduct in appointments and regularisation of the contract employees.

The protesting workers, including women, chanted slogans against ruling party MNA Nawabzada Mazhar Ali Khan for allegedly hurling threats at them during the talks at the DCO office on Wednesday as the protesters were demanding action against the lawmaker.

However, the talks between the district government and the protesting health workers succeeded after Gujrat DCO Liaquat Ali Chatha wrote a letter to the secretary provincial health department to take necessary action against the EDO in the light of the findings of the three member inquiry committee comprising Gujrat Additional District Collector Irfan Ali Kathia and two senior medical officers.

Both the association of the allied health workers and the district government have also signed a memorandum of understanding that the health EDO would not take any punitive action against any of his subordinate staff till his transfer or any other action that could be taken by the secretary health in this regard whereas the health workers would resume their duty amicably.

An official of the health workers association said the EDO had again breached the agreement on the same day when the latter had transferred at least three staffers of his office for participating in the agitation against him which was not acceptable and the matter has been raised with the district administration.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2015

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