Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Employees of the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital (FGPH) continued their protests against the non-payment of salaries for the third day on Friday.

Around 67 technicians have not been paid their salaries since August 2016. The staff gathered in front of the hospital and chanted slogans against the hospital administration.

The protesters said that many technicians had left their jobs due to non-payment of salaries. “How can one survive without wages?” they asked. The protesters said that they would continue the protest till their demands were met.

Jawad, one of the protesters, said that it was shocking that the senior administration of the hospital and the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) had not contacted them. He said that despite court orders, some elements were intentionally trying to create hurdlers in this regard. “Such elements do not want to resolve the issue,” he said.

The protesters said that they were permanent employees of the hospital. “Despite that, we are not being paid our salaries,” they said.

They threatened to close down the hospital if their demands were not met.

“It is very difficult to continue working without wages,” they said.

They appealed to the apex court and the prime minster to take notice. “The government should resolve the issue immediately. It is a matter of life and death for us,” they said.

In January 2017, the employees had approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The court had given a verdict in their favour. Following the court order, CADD had directed to the hospital for releasing their salaries. However, the hospital management has not paid them yet.

CADD had directed FGPH Executive Director Dr Shahid for payment of salaries to the technicians. The ED Dr Shahid told Daily Times that the ministry had not clearly explained the issue.