Assurance On Leave Notices Brings Punjab Government Employees’ Strike To An End

Punjab government employees have called off their pen-down strike after the state government assured them that it would withdraw its August 27 letter describing their mass leave as “unauthorised leave” and the show-cause notices issued to protesting employees. The decision followed an hour-long meeting between Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and employee representatives on Wednesday morning, during which the government also assured them that no coercive action would be taken.

The employees had initially announced a one-day strike for September 8 but later extended the protest after talks with the government remained inconclusive. They had decided to continue the mass-leave agitation until September 11 if their concerns were not addressed. The latest decision to withdraw the strike was announced after the meeting with Sinha, with union leaders confirming that the immediate dispute over the government’s action against employees had been addressed.

The employees’ protest was primarily focused on the government’s August 27 communication, which proposed action against staff who had participated in an earlier protest. According to union leaders, the government had initiated proceedings concerning the absence of around 2,500 employees following the August 27 strike. The employees had demanded withdrawal of the letter and show-cause notices before holding further discussions on their pending service-related demands.

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However, the withdrawal of the pen-down strike does not mean that all issues between the employee unions and the Punjab government have been resolved. Sanjha Mullazam Manch convener Sukhchain Khera clarified that the agreement covered withdrawal of letters seeking action against protesting employees, including the proposed “no work, no pay” measure. He noted that no discussion had taken place on demands such as enhanced dearness allowance, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and other service and pay structure-related issues.

The government’s “no work, no pay” action had been initiated after employees extended their protest on Tuesday evening. Earlier that day, union leaders had met Principal Secretary General (Administration) KK Yadav, but the discussions did not produce an agreement, prompting employees to continue their agitation. The subsequent assurance from the Chief Secretary has now eased the immediate confrontation over the unauthorised-leave notices and proposed disciplinary action.

Employee leaders are expected to meet Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss their remaining demands. While the current pen-down strike has been called off, Khera indicated that the employees’ protest over their original demands is scheduled to continue on September 12 and 13. The unions’ outstanding issues include higher dearness allowance, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and changes relating to service and pay structures.

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