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PoJK Health Workers' Indefinite Strike Enters 17th Day Over Pending Allowances

Health department employees in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir have launched an indefinite strike, now in its 17th day, over unpaid health allowances and unmet demands. Protesters, including staff like Farah Sadia, have set up a demonstration camp outside Muzaffarabad's main hospital, criticizing the government's neglect and highlighting the impact on poor patients. Union leader Raja Zulfiqar asserts the workers' right to their demands while maintaining the protest is peaceful. Such strikes are common in the region, where employees frequently allege broken promises and poor service conditions from authorities.

Key Points: PoJK Health Workers Strike Over Unpaid Allowances, Hit Hospital Services

  • Strike enters 17th day
  • Protest at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Hospital
  • Demands for pending health allowances
  • Warning of prolonged agitation
  • Allegations of government neglect
2 min read

Health workers in PoJK on indefinite strike, protest outside Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed hospital in Muzaffarabad over pending allowances

Health department employees in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir continue an indefinite strike for the 17th day, demanding pending health allowances and better service conditions.

"poor patients have nowhere else to seek treatment - Farah Sadia, Protester"

Muzaffarabad Marc, h 4

Health Department employees in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir have launched an indefinite strike over pending health allowances and other unmet demands, disrupting services and intensifying pressure on the regional authorities. The protesting staff have set up a demonstration camp outside the gate of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Hospital in Muzaffarabad, where they have been staging their agitation for over two weeks.

The strike has now entered its 17th day, with employees asserting that they will continue their protest until the Government of PoJK fulfils commitments it had previously agreed to implement. Protesters allege that despite repeated assurances, the authorities have failed to release health allowances and address long-standing grievances related to service conditions.

One of the protesters, Farah Sadia, voiced frustration over what she described as persistent neglect. She said employees have not received increases in benefits or allowances and questioned the government's lack of concern for vulnerable patients affected by the strike. Highlighting the plight of economically disadvantaged families, she said poor patients have nowhere else to seek treatment and urged authorities not to "oppress the poor" by ignoring the demands of healthcare workers.

Raja Zulfiqar, President of the Paramedical Association, stated that healthcare workers consider themselves equal citizens entitled to their rights. He warned that employees are determined to pursue their demands while maintaining that their protest remains lawful and peaceful. Emphasising that their movement is being conducted in an ethical and orderly manner, he urged the authorities to resolve the issue promptly, saying it would be in the best interest of both the government and the employees.

Protests by government employees are not uncommon in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, where workers across departments have frequently alleged discrimination, delayed payments, and poor service conditions. Agitating employees argue that repeated promises by authorities have not translated into concrete action, pointing to governance gaps and delays in policy implementation in the region.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's the same story everywhere across the border – promises made, promises broken. The common people always suffer. When will they learn that you cannot run a system by oppressing the very people who keep it running? The protest seems completely justified. Strength to the workers! 💪
A
Aman W
While I fully support the workers' right to fair pay, a 17-day strike in a hospital is extreme. Think of the critical patients! Could there not be a better way? Both sides need to show more responsibility. The government for its apathy, and the unions for potentially endangering lives.
S
Sarah B
Reading this from a public health perspective is alarming. A sustained strike disrupts immunization, maternal care, and management of chronic diseases. This creates a secondary crisis. The authorities' neglect is creating a public health time bomb for the most vulnerable. Shameful.
V
Vikram M
This is not just about allowances. Raja Zulfiqar said it right – it's about being treated as equal citizens with rights. When basic dignity and agreements are disregarded, what option do people have but to protest? The situation in PoJK often highlights a severe democratic deficit.
K
Kriti O
Farah Sadia's words hit hard – "oppress the poor". It's always the poorest who bear the brunt of administrative failure. I hope the media keeps highlighting this so the pressure builds. These workers are heroes for standing up, but no one should have to fight this hard for what was promised.

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