The standoff between employee unions and the government in Punjab has entered a new phase of agitation. The ‘Punjab Sajha Mulazim Manch’ (Joint Employees’ Forum) has announced mass leave for Tuesday in government offices across Punjab and Chandigarh.
This move by clerical staff is likely to disrupt routine operations across various departments. Employees have made it clear that if the government does not take concrete steps regarding their demands, the agitation will be intensified in a phased manner. According to the employees, the Aam Aadmi Party had given assurances—prior to forming the government—regarding issues such as restoring the Old Pension Scheme, paying pending Dearness Allowance (DA), and regularizing temporary employees. Employees are now pressuring the government to fulfill these promises.
Protest Over Attack on Mohanjeet
The agitation also includes a protest against the attack on Mohanjeet in the Chandigarh-Mohali area. Employees will observe a hunger strike while wearing black clothes. Union leaders state that resentment is growing among employees due to the constant deferral of their demands. They question why the very employees who supported the government’s formation are now compelled to agitate for their demands.
The Forum has also sought an explanation from the government regarding the hike in MLAs’ pensions. Employees argue that if the government cites the financial situation to avoid addressing their demands, why is a different policy being adopted regarding the financial benefits of public representatives and officials?
Questioning the High Court Verdict
Employee leaders have also objected to the government’s decision to challenge the High Court’s verdict in the Supreme Court. They argue that instead of taking matters related to employees’ financial and service benefits to court, the government should seek a resolution through dialogue. Asserting that matters concerning pay scales, DA, and pensions are the employees’ rights, the Forum has demanded an immediate decision from the government. The forum has sought a response from the government on several issues, including claims regarding 72,000 jobs, the Dearness Allowance (DA) received by Class-1 officers, and the economic state of Punjab. Employees argue that alongside claims of job creation, details regarding the initial salaries and service conditions of the newly recruited staff should also be made public.
**Next Phase of the Agitation**
**September 12–13:** Protests and gheraos outside ministers’ residences.
**September 19–20:** Protests against other ministers and MLAs.
**September 30:** Symbolic employees’ assembly in Chandigarh.
**October 10:** Major employees’ rally.
**October 21–22:** Another round of mass casual leave.
Prior to this, employee organizations had also participated in the Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s agitation in Chandigarh from September 1 to 7.
**Employees Firm on These Demands**
Key demands include the release of pending DA and arrears, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, regularization of contractual and outsourced employees, restoration of the ACP (Assured Career Progression) scheme, and the rectification of pay anomalies. There is also a demand to extend the full benefits of both old and revised pay scales to employees recruited after July 17, 2020, and to implement minimum wage standards for honorarium-based workers. The forum has also raised the demand for the settlement of pending financial benefits for pensioners.
Meanwhile, the ‘Man-Bhatta Workers Sajha Morcha’ (Joint Front of Honorarium-based Workers) is holding a rally in Mohali to highlight the demands of ASHA workers, facilitators, mid-day meal workers, and sanitation staff. The Democratic Mulazim Federation has announced its support for the rally. The organization will demand that these workers be brought under the ambit of minimum wage regulations.
