Rescue 1122 Astore staff to go on strike over unpaid salaries

GILGIT: The project employees of Rescue 1122 Astore have announced a strike starting December 27 to protest the non-payment of their salaries for the last six months, leaving them in severe financial hardship.

Over 90 staff members were hired on a contractual basis for Rescue 1122 in Astore and Ghizer in 2021, with their contracts being renewed periodically. Recently, the Rescue 1122 project has been extended to include Kharmang and Shigar, where new recruits are currently undergoing training in Lahore. Meanwhile, the staff in Astore and Ghizer have been performing their duties since the project’s inception.

In a letter addressed to the Astore Deputy Commissioner (DC), the Rescue 1122 project staff members expressed their frustration and distress over the prolonged delay in salary disbursement, despite their continued commitment to serving the community. “This critical issue has persisted for six months, causing immense financial hardship for all of us and our families,” read the letter signed by all project staff from Astore.

The staff highlighted their dedication to emergency response efforts but lamented that the ongoing delay in salary payments had made it impossible to support themselves and their families. “We have exhausted all avenues to seek resolution, but to no avail,” the letter stated.

As a last resort, the Rescue 1122 staff have announced their decision to go on strike starting Friday, December 27, which will continue until their demands are met. “This difficult decision has not been taken lightly, but we are left with no other choice,” the letter added.

The staff have appealed to the DC to intervene and ensure the expeditious release of their pending salaries. They urged the authorities to understand the severity of the situation and take immediate action to address their grievances.

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In a conversation with HUM News English, Astore Rescue and Safety Officer (RSO) Shahab Malik confirmed the delay in salaries of the project staff, attributing it to the ongoing process for regularization of their services.

“Indeed, it’s a serious issue but their [project staff] regularization is underway. Posts have been created, and they will be regularized soon. Until then, their salaries have been delayed,” he said.