Public sector employees from every region of Pakistan are showing their power by striking against laws that undermine their jobs, personhood, and Pakistan’s basic legal protections. Employees demonstrate simultaneously in cities ranging from Islamabad in the capital to Sujawal in the southern provinces. Public sector workers from across Pakistan are holing demonstrations saying that pension changes will harm their benefits and threaten their constitutional privileges.

In late January, workers across Sindh province raised their voices to demand justice and the acceptance of our charter of demands. From Khairpur, Sanghar, Sajawal to Sukkur, Hyderabad, Thari and other districts, we marched together under the umbrella of All Pakistan United Irrigation Employees Federation (APUIEF) and Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) demonstrating our collective strength and determination.

"Our demands are essential rights that must be upheld to ensure the respect, dignity, job security, and well-being of every government employee," said Muhammad Azam Faqeer, Vice President, APUIEF & PWF.

Government Employees disagree with both organic policy changes including the elimination of employment benefits upon employee death and suspension of group insurance payments upon retirement.

They object to the discontinued practice that gave surviving family members job opportunities when a worker died. Employees view their retirement group insurance cancellation as a betrayal because they made yearly premium payments out of their salary.

Pension Reforms: These Changes Will Endanger Retirement Benefits

The government wants to save money through pension changes which makes the Government employees angry. Public sector workers believe their earned pension will disappear under these new changes. For workers pensions are more than an extra benefit — they provide basic security during retirement years.

Public school teachers in Sindh Boycotting the Classes: Teachers across Sindh decided to strike from schools to demand better treatment from the government. They want improved teaching space, regular paycheck delivery, and proper teacher status recognition. Teachers are taking this action because government services face major resource problems throughout their departments.

Mass Sit-ins in Peshawar: Government workers at Peshawar’s main office came together to protest through a sit-in demonstration. Workers in Khyber Pakhtunkwa take to the streets because new government policies hurt lower-wage employees the most.

Protests in Islamabad A National Symbol: Government Employees in the federal capital protest against pension changes at their workplace. Across the country, workers demonstrate to protest how their organization dishonours their commitment and ignores their support.

Protesters want to be treated fairly under their constitutional rights. Public Sector workers are fighting for their rights while defending their place in the development of their nation. When government leadership does not talk to unions honestly the workers take their concerns to the streets.

Government employees continue their protests as a fundamental plea for justice alongside the demonstrations of their essential value to Pakistan’s growth. The government needs to start direct talks with worker unions while upholding worker protections and will put social justice ahead of budget cuts.

Millions of public sector employees depend on the Pakistan Workers Federation’s charter of demands to defend their rights and protect their dignity at work. The people of Islamabad Sujawal Peshawar and Sindh want the government to take action now. The government must start listening to labour demands and defend Pakistan’s constitutional worker protections now.

Originally the article was published here.