Dialogue and strike can't go together: Mann to striking government employees in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday (August 27, 2026) made it clear to the striking government employees that talks with them would be held only when they call off their strike.

Mr. Mann was scheduled to hold a meeting with the representatives of the employees' bodies to discuss their issues on Thursday (August 27) in Jalandhar.

Government employees in Punjab went on a statewide strike on Thursday (August 27) to press the AAP government to accept their long-pending demands, including the release of pending dearness allowance.

The 'maha hartal' of government employees affected functioning in various government departments and OPD services in hospitals.

In a post on X, Mr. Mann said his government is ready to listen to every legitimate concern of employees but dialogue and strike cannot go together.

"Employees are an important part of our family and we are ready to listen to every legitimate concern they have. But dialogue and strike cannot proceed together... The government is committed to resolving every issue, but dialogue will only take place once the strike is called off," Mr. Mann said.

Over 150 employees' bodies under the banner of Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch have joined hands for the 'maha hartal' to press the state government to accept their long-pending demands.

According to employees' bodies, OPDs in government-run hospitals remained suspended.

The protesting employees have been demanding the release of pending 18% dearness allowance (DA), the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and regularisation of contractual employees. They said despite repeated assurances, the state government "failed" to address their long-pending demands.