PoJK Ad-Hoc Staff Protest for Unpaid Salaries in Muzaffarabad
Ad-hoc employees in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), held a protest outside the Central Press Club. They demanded the release of their suspended salaries, which has caused severe financial difficulties and led to their children being expelled from schools.
The protesters pointed out that while employees in other parts of Pakistan have been granted permanent positions, those in PoJK are facing unemployment. Lecturer Maqsood Ahmed Abbasi said, “We were also hired here based on merit, and we did not receive our employment letters from home. As per the constitution and the law, we were employed according to our qualifications. So, how is it possible that after so many years, people are now claiming that we were hired against merit?”
In 2021, the PoJK assembly enacted a law to regularize the employment status of specific categories of contractual, ad-hoc, or temporary government workers. However, the government’s failure to enforce this legislation has led to significant frustration among the affected employees. Raja Akhter Ali Khan, an affected employee, said, “From 1991 to the present day, various governments have made appointments according to their own preferences. There are people here with 30 to 35 years of experience, some of whom have passed away, and others who are over 60 years old. Considering this situation and the laws enacted in all four provinces, an act was established in 2021. We want that act to be implemented.”
The issue of ad-hoc employment in regions like PoJK is long-standing and contentious. Ad-hoc employees face job insecurity and often receive lower wages than permanent staff despite performing similar duties. The lack of progress in resolving these issues has led to protests and advocacy efforts by the affected employees.
Doubts Revealed
PoJK -: PoJK stands for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It is a region that is currently under the control of Pakistan but is claimed by India as part of its territory.
Ad-hoc employees -: Ad-hoc employees are workers who are hired temporarily and do not have permanent job status. They often work on short-term contracts.
Muzaffarabad -: Muzaffarabad is the capital city of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It is located in the northern part of the region.
Central Press Club -: The Central Press Club is a place where journalists and media professionals gather. It is often used for press conferences and public announcements.
2021 law to regularize employment -: This refers to a law passed in 2021 that was supposed to make temporary or ad-hoc jobs into permanent positions, giving workers more job security.
Lecturer -: A lecturer is a teacher, usually in a college or university, who gives lectures or talks to students.
Maqsood Ahmed Abbasi -: Maqsood Ahmed Abbasi is one of the lecturers who participated in the protest. He is likely a teacher or professor in the region.
Raja Akhter Ali Khan -: Raja Akhter Ali Khan is one of the employees who took part in the protest. He is likely a worker affected by the unpaid salaries issue.
