Teachers, Staff to Join KP-Wide Strike From October

APP

Peshawar: The All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) has threatened an indefinite strike across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from October if the provincial government fails to meet their demands.

Chairing a meeting of the Coordination Council, AGEGA provincial chairman Wazirzada announced that all government offices, including schools, colleges, municipal institutions, and other departments, would remain closed during the strike.

He called for the restoration of the old pension system, immediate payment of a 30 percent Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA), withdrawal of recruitment advertisements for daily-wage Class-IV employees, and recognition of property owners’ job rights.

The demands also include resolving issues related to the CP fund, converting CB funds back to GP funds, and addressing the financial crisis facing local government institutions.

“The salaries of poor employees are at serious risk due to the financial difficulties of local bodies, while the CP fund has become a major concern for young teachers,” Wazirzada said. He stressed that outsourcing of government schools, colleges, and hospitals would not be accepted “under any circumstances.”

The AGEGA chairman further rejected recent amendments to service rules and licensing requirements for teachers, terming them unnecessary. He recalled that before the budget, AGEGA leaders were assured at the Civil Secretariat that employee issues would be resolved on a priority basis.

Wazirzada criticized the provincial government for failing to address the problems of employees despite their support during the PTI’s 13-year rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He urged the Chief Minister, Finance Advisor, and Chief Secretary to engage with AGEGA and resolve the grievances through an executive order.

“If our demands are accepted, millions of employees will be grateful. If not, we will launch peaceful protests and a province-wide strike in October,” he warned.