LAHORE, May 14: The technical staff of Pakistan Railways loco shed on Monday observed a token strike to press for a pay raise.

Carrying banners and raising slogans, the employees gathered near the main gate of the loco shed where they staged a sit-in for two hours or so.

Speaking to protesters, Rail Mazdoor Ittehad leader Inayat Gujjar said inflation had made it impossible for them to make both ends meet. The pay scales of the technical staff were revised in 1985.

Sarfraz Khan said the government should increase their pay scales at least by 25 per cent and also grant them dearness allowance in commensurate with the increase in prices of essential items. Salamat Khan said payment of overtime allowance should also be restored.

The Ittehad leaders decided that the two-hour strike would continue till May 19 after which a future course of action would be decided in case their demands were not met.