Employees of the Sports Board Punjab staged a large-scale protest outside the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore against the non-payment of their salaries and outstanding dues. The protest, which saw workers chanting slogans and holding banners, highlighted the financial crisis faced by employees due to delayed payments.
Employees Demand Immediate Payment of Salaries
The protesting employees raised their voices against the prolonged delay in salary disbursement, demanding that all pending dues be cleared without further delay. They emphasized that many of them have not received their wages for months, causing severe financial distress.
According to reports, permanent employees have been deprived of their salaries for the past two months. In addition, daily wage workers, contract employees, package workers, and till-order employees have not been paid for periods ranging from two to eight months. The employees expressed frustration over the Sports Board Punjab’s inability to ensure timely salary payments, which has left many struggling to meet their daily expenses.
Minimum Wage Violation Adds to Employee Woes
In addition to delayed salaries, employees also raised concerns about violations of minimum wage laws. According to them, instead of receiving the mandated minimum wage of Rs. 37,000, they are being paid only Rs. 32,000. This wage discrepancy further exacerbates their financial difficulties, making it harder for them to support their families.
Daily Wage Workers Hit the Hardest
The most vulnerable group affected by the ongoing salary crisis is the daily wage workforce. These employees, who already earn meager wages, have been left without any payments for several months. Protesters called upon authorities to ensure that daily wage workers receive their rightful payments on time and at the legally mandated rate.
Authorities Urged to Take Immediate Action
Employees of the Sports Board Punjab have called upon the government and relevant authorities to intervene and resolve the issue immediately. They stressed that continued delays in salary payments not only impact their livelihoods but also demotivate workers, affecting the overall performance of the department.
The protesters urged Punjab’s government to allocate the necessary funds and implement a transparent mechanism to prevent such delays in the future. They also demanded that a proper payment schedule be established to ensure employees receive their wages on time.
Financial Crisis and Mismanagement to Blame?
Sources suggest that financial mismanagement within the Sports Board Punjab may be one of the reasons behind the ongoing crisis. The failure to allocate and release funds in a timely manner has resulted in accumulated unpaid wages, pushing employees to the brink of financial instability. If the issue remains unresolved, it could lead to further unrest among the workforce and disrupt sports-related activities in Punjab.
Protest to Continue Until Demands Are Met
Employees have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met and their salaries are paid in full. The demonstration outside the National Hockey Stadium is expected to escalate if authorities fail to address the issue promptly. Workers have warned of further strikes and disruptions in sports board operations if their grievances are ignored.
The ongoing protest by Sports Board Punjab employees highlights a pressing issue that requires immediate attention from the government and concerned authorities. The delay in salary payments, coupled with violations of minimum wage laws, has created immense financial hardship for employees. Urgent action is needed to resolve the crisis, ensure fair compensation, and restore stability within the Sports Board Punjab.
As the protest continues, all eyes are on the authorities to see how they respond to the demands of their employees. If a swift resolution is not reached, the unrest could have a lasting impact on the sports administration and infrastructure in Punjab.
