Jammu, Feb 14:  The government on Monday declared the strike call given by PHE employees from tomorrow as illegal and decided to invoke Essential Service Maintenance Act against the striking employees.
 The decision to invoke ESMA was taken against the striking employees to ensure that people do not suffer on account of the strike
 In a late evening development, the representatives of PHE employees suspended their strike, claiming the government has accepted their two major demands.
 A section of PHE employees has called for 72 hours strike from tomorrow to press for  their demands.
 According to an official spokesman, the government has already fulfilled most of the demands put-forth by the employees associations like release of one day additional salary and payment of wages under MWGA at the rate of Rs 110 per day. All the Chief Engineers have been directed to make payments on said parameters already, the spokesman added.
 As for release of 2nd installment of 0.75 day, it has been agreed in principle by the Chief Minister. The third and final installment of 0.75 day shall also be sanctioned and released in due course of time, he added.
 The other demands put-forth, the spokesman said, stand examined and found of no concern to the employees.
 As such the Government has decided to declare the strike as illegal and against the public interest. The spokesman has appealed the PHE employees to remain on duty and not indulge in such un-scrupulous activities.
 PHE Employees United Front general secretary, Subash Verma said, “We have decided to suspend our strike for one month as the government has agreed to fulfill our two demands.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST