Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has appealed to government employees involved in the ongoing strike to call off their protest, making it clear that his government is willing to discuss their concerns but will not hold negotiations while the strike continues.
In a statement shared on X, Mann described government employees as an important part of the state government’s “family” and said the administration was prepared to hear their legitimate demands.
ਮੁਲਾਜ਼ਮ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਦਾ ਅਹਿਮ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਜਾਇਜ਼ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣਨ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰ ਹਾਂ…
ਪਰ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਅਤੇ ਹੜਤਾਲ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਇਕੱਠੀਆਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੱਲ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ… ਸਰਕਾਰ ਹਰ ਮਸਲੇ ਦਾ ਹੱਲ ਕੱਢਣ ਲਈ ਵਚਨਬੱਧ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਉਦੋਂ ਹੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ ਜਦੋਂ ਹੜਤਾਲ ਖ਼ਤਮ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ…— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) August 27, 2026
“Employees are an important part of our family and we are ready to listen to their every legitimate point,” the Chief Minister said.
However, Mann drew a clear line on the issue of negotiations, arguing that talks and a strike could not proceed simultaneously. He said the government remained committed to resolving employees’ concerns but maintained that discussions would begin only after the protest was withdrawn.
The Chief Minister’s statement comes amid the continuing agitation by Punjab government employees over their various demands. The strike has put pressure on the state administration, with employees seeking action on issues affecting their service conditions and other long-pending concerns.
Mann said the government was committed to finding solutions to all legitimate issues raised by its employees. At the same time, he urged the protesting workforce to create an environment conducive to dialogue by ending the strike first.
The government’s position effectively places the ball in the employees’ court, with the Chief Minister indicating that negotiations can begin once normal functioning resumes.
The statement is likely to shape the next phase of the standoff between the state government and its employees. While Mann has reiterated his willingness to engage with the workforce, his condition that the strike must end before talks begin could determine whether the two sides return to the negotiating table in the immediate future.
For now, the focus remains on whether the protesting employees accept the government’s appeal and suspend their agitation, paving the way for discussions on their outstanding demands.
