Sindh proposes 20% salary increase; AGEGA holds protest in Islamabad

The Sindh government has proposed a significant increase in salaries and pensions for government employees in the upcoming provincial budget for 2026-27, offering relief measures that could benefit thousands of public sector workers.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the proposal includes a 15 to 20 percent increase in salaries and pensions. It also suggests a 20 percent raise for employees from Grade 1 to Grade 16, along with a revision of pay scales for employees up to Grade 21.

The final approval will be subject to the decision of the Sindh cabinet.

Meanwhile, the government employees under the banner of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) staged a symbolic protest at the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad outside the Ministry of Finance, demanding substantial improvements in their pay structure. The protesters called for a 50 percent increase in the salaries of employees earning less than 50,000 rupees per month.

They also demanded immediate implementation of all clauses of the agreement signed on 10 March 2025, urging authorities to fulfil earlier commitments made to public sector workers.

The employees further called for the integration of all ad hoc relief allowances into basic pay and the introduction of a revised pay scale for 2026. They demanded that a 100 percent ad hoc relief allowance be included in salaries.

Other demands included a 200 percent increase in conveyance, medical and house rent allowances, withdrawal of pension reforms, and continuation of the existing pension system.

The protesters also demanded a 30 percent disparity reduction allowance to address wage gaps among different employee categories. Teachers and researchers called for the removal of the 25 percent tax slab and refund of deducted amounts.

Additional demands included regularisation of daily wage and contract employees, restoration of jobs for children of deceased employees, and the formation of joint committees for institutions listed for privatisation. They also demanded that the minimum monthly wage for government employees be fixed at 50,000 rupees.

Reporter: Babar Shehzad Turk