The lady health workers (LHW) from different districts of Punjab continued to protest near Lahore's Charing Cross for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.
More than 250 LHWs camped on Mall Road overnight for the protest and claimed that they will not budge till their demands are met. The LHWs demand a proper service structure and scale upgradation.
The flow of traffic around Mall Road continues to be disrupted at the protest continues.
Moreover, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, who is the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, also visited the protesters and to show solidarity with them.
On Monday, the workers staged a sit-in outside the Punjab Assembly over non-payment of salaries.
“We haven’t been paid for five months now,” a protester said. While another added saying that they last received an increment in 2012.
“Our demonstration will continue till our demands are met,” a health worker stressed.
Following this, the government allowed the release of arrears worth Rs1.2 billion for the lady health workers. The amount will reach the LHWs within 15 days.
LHWs have been protesting since a few years for various reasons, including those pertaining to their upgradation, regularisation or non-payment of salaries, across Pakistan.
However, no proper system has been put in place for the workers to continue their duty in a smooth manner.The sit-in protest of lady health workers and supervisors in Lahore moved into its second day after talks with provincial government failed twice.
Lady health workers and supervisors were protesting over the service structure and outstanding dues issue. The health workers had assembled at Chairing Cross from various districts of Punjab.
The sit-in protest caused traffic problems for citizens who had several altercations with the health workers.
Protesters claimed that the government never fulfilled its promises to the health workers.
"Our job has been made so tough but we are not given the deserved compensation," said one health worker. "The government had promised us in 2012 to pay our dues. We're still waiting for the compensation."
Citizens on the other hand were troubled due to the traffic jam that had resulted due to the sit-in protest.
"I want to take my son to the hospital but I can't since these people won't let me," said one citizen. "They have the right to protest but why cause difficulties for us?"
Punjab Government's Health Department officials tried to negotiate with the protesters but the health workers refused to end the protest without a written guarantee.
