Pak govt cracks down on protesting healthcare workers as Sindh protests expose systemic neglect

Karachi [Pakistan], August 18 (ANI): Highlighting the deep-seated labour unrest and poor administrative handling of frontline healthcare personnel in Pakistan, Lady Health Workers (LHWs) from across Sindh staged a major sit-in at Teen Talwar in Clifton, demanding that the provincial government retain the LHW programme under the health department and immediately address long-pending issues regarding service structure and retirement benefits, according to a report by Dawn.
The demonstration, organised under the banner of the All Sindh Lady Health Workers & Employees Union (ASLHWEU), concluded late in the evening on Monday after what officials termed as "successful" talks with the health secretary.
The protest was originally planned at Bilawal Chowrangi in Clifton, but heavy police blockades forced the demonstrators to alter their route and move the venue.
Reflecting the authorities' high-handed response to peaceful worker agitations, the ASLHWEU leadership claimed that law enforcement agencies detained over 400 workers. However, a police official stated that around 150 lady health workers were picked up as they blocked the main road, adding that all of them were later released, Dawn reported.
Addressing the gathered workers, central president of ASLHWEU Haleema Zulqarnain Laghari voiced firm opposition against transferring the management of the LHW scheme to private entities, including the People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI).
"Our primary demand is that we should be under the health department and allowed to continue working according to the LHW programme policy. We demand a proper service structure, time-scale promotions, pension and gratuity for our retired employees," she said.
Laghari emphasised the systematic neglect faced by healthcare staff, pointing out that despite being regularised in 2012, LHWs remained stuck in lower grades even after 14 years of service, according to Dawn.
General secretary of ASLHWEU Shama Gulani questioned the discriminatory practices in career advancement within the provincial healthcare setup.
"When officers within the same programme are granted upgraded scales, why are lower-tier workers being denied the same opportunity?" she asked.
The protesters further demanded the restoration of the medicine budget transferred to PPHI, along with maintenance and fuel allowances for supervisors' vehicles. They stated that adequate district-level funds must be allocated through district health officers to guarantee uninterrupted access to medicines, equipment repairs and essential operational resources, Dawn reported.
Senior vice president of the union Nasira Parveen noted that Monday's demonstration formed part of a broader, ongoing peaceful struggle that commenced with a protest at the Hyderabad Press Club on July 3, followed by demonstrations at basic health units, rural health units and district headquarters.
The ASLHWEU leadership appealed to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Sindh Chief Minister and the provincial health minister to intervene and preserve the health initiative.
"This is Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's programme. We urge PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to honour that legacy and grant frontline healthcare workers their legitimate rights," Laghari stated.
The union leadership called for immediate dialogue with the Sindh government while urging trade unions, labour organisations, human rights activists and civil society groups to support their struggle for job security, fair career progression and basic labour rights. (ANI)