No increment: Government employees kick off strike today

KARACHI: Clerical staff employeed by the government department have kicked off their strike from today (Friday) against no increment in wages in the recently announced federal budget.

On Thursday, the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) took to the streets in Multan in favour of their demands. The demonstrators maintained that the government has deprived them from their daily bread and butter.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, APCA Deputy General Secretary Amjad Ali said that they would continue to observe strike till raise in their salaries by 50 percent.

The Governments response

On the other hand, addressing a post-budget press conference, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that one percent increase in General Sales Tax and not to raise the wages of the labour were very tough decisions that the government has taken.

“People would have to bear the burden this year only as from next year we will compensate them,” he said while referring to salaries of the government employees, which were not given the raise in the budget.