About 4.5 lakh employees are on strike since April 3, demanding among other things immediate release of arrears as recommended by the 6th Pay Commission
Crippling work in government departments and PSUs, employees continued their strike across the state for the fifth day today even as they decided to extend their stir till April 13 in view of "strict measures" being undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir government.
About 4.5 lakh employees are on strike since April 3, demanding among other things immediate release of arrears as recommended by the 6th Pay Commission and enhancement in retirement age from 58 to 60 years.
The government invoked the Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the striking employees on Monday night and five leaders of medical employees associations from GMC hospital and Gandhi Nagar hospital were today arrested.
Irate over this, Civil Secretariat non-gazetted employees Union leader Nazir Ahmed Mir told reporters "the strike has been extended till April 13 and it may be further extended if the government continues to use harsh measures on employees".
The Civil Secretariat here wore a deserted look for the second consecutive day as employees continued to cease work.
Reports pouring in from different districts in Jammu Division said the attendance was thin in government offices. Employees in several state-run educational institutions and hospitals are also on strike.
The agitating employees held demonstrations at Railhead official complex, JMC complex, PHE-PDP head office, Dograhall, Canal road, GMC hospital, Gandhinagar and city chowk here.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah had yesterday said "their (employees) irresponsible attitude has compelled the government to take appropriate action... Even now doors are open to settle the issues across the table".
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