ISLAMABAD: Around two dozen employees of the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), who were made officers on special duty (OSDs), have been sacked.

The sacked employees, however, claimed that the decision was a violation of the Islamabad High Court’s orders which had directed the commission not to take any action against the employees.

A few months ago PMC had made the employees OSDs and sent letters to them that they should accept voluntary golden handshake scheme. They were asked that if they were terminated from the service, their financial package, which had to be given at the time of golden handshake, will be reduced.

Employees received e-mails, instead of registered letters, informing that Under Section 8 (2) (a) of the PMC Act 2020 and pursuant to the terms of the compulsory golden handshake scheme duly approved by the government on Sept 15, the PMC has approved their severance from the employment.

The letters, available with Dawn, stated “the severance packages shall be the full and final settlement of any or all dues and claims that may exist prior to April 14, 2021 and shall include and represents ex-gratia payment for period served and period unserved up to the age of retirement, gratuity payments due under your current contract, refund of amounts deposited on account of any defunct schemes with the erstwhile PMDC and adjustment of any other due benefits or deduction of outstanding loans, etc.”

Employees have been informed that they will get around Rs2 million or in some cases a little over Rs3 million and are advised to contact Finance Division, in case of query within seven days.

An employee, who has received the letter, requesting not to be quoted, said:“We are at the mid of our carrier so now we will not be able to get permanent jobs. It is unfortunate that no one has bothered to think about us and future of our children.”

“Employees were part of a constitutional petition seeking justice against pseudo health reforms, where PMDC was dissolved after an Act of Parliament despite rejection from opposition parties. The PMC Act 2020 discontinued the representation of the provinces including one slot reserved for the Supreme Court judge,” he said.

The PMC spokesperson was contacted to get version but it did not respond till filing of this story.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2021