ISLAMABAD: A total of 22 unions of various government departments marched from the National Press Club to D-Chowk on Thursday demanding an increase in their salaries since the price hike.

They argued that with the rise in prices, it has become difficult for government servants to meet household expenses. They also demanded parity in the salaries of all federal government employees.

Last month, workers set up a camp on Sitara Market Chowk in G-7 where representative from all the employees unions would sit. They announced that they would gather outside the press club on May 2 for a joint protest.

“Since the budget is being prepared, we have also issued a charter of demands for the government to consider while preparing the budget. We have demanded that the salaries and allowances of all government employees should be equal. Salaries should be increased by 100pc, and ad hoc relief should be included in the salary,” one of the protesters, Imam Din Rind from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Nursing Association, told Dawn.

He added that pay scales should be upgraded and 20pc special allowances should be given, and the minimum medical allowance should be Rs5,000. He said wedding grants should be increased by 100pc and should be extended to two children. Health cards should also be given to all non-gazetted employees.

“At the time of retirement, a year’s salary should be given from the benevolent fund. The pension should be increased according to the price hike. Pims should not be privatised. If a government servant dies during service, a government job should be given to his or her one child. A 25pc quota of government jobs should be given to the children of government employees. Plots should be given to all government employees at the earliest,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2019