Punjab government enforces ‘no work, no pay’ amid ongoing employee strike

The Punjab government has implemented a ‘no work, no pay’ policy in response to an ongoing strike by state employees. The confrontation follows a decision by employee organizations to extend their pen-down strike until Friday, September 11.

Employees are protesting several issues, including the immediate release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears, the restoration of Assured Career Progression (ACP) benefits, and the withdrawal of show-cause notices issued regarding ‘unauthorized absences’ during a mass protest on August 27. They are also demanding the reversal of a transfer involving employee leader Sushil Kumar Fauji.

While ministerial employees in Chandigarh and Mohali have engaged in pen-down strikes, and district-level staff have taken collective casual leave, essential services such as schools, health institutions, and bus services reportedly remain operational. The government’s personnel department has issued strict directives to administrative secretaries to address employees who mark attendance but remain absent from their desks, noting that such behavior causes administrative inconvenience to the public.