Daily-rated workers engaged in Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Tourism department Monday staged separate protest demonstrations in Srinagar, to seek regularization of their services.
J&K PHE (ITI) Workers Association held a protest demonstration at Press Enclave here. Members of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) including its President Fayaz Shabnum also participated in the protest to support the demands of the workers.
The protestors demanded regularization of their services. “We have been serving the departments for the past 14 years now. Despite all assurances and promises, we are still waiting for regularization of our services,” said Mansoor Ahmad, a protestor.
Holding placards in their hands, the protestors raised pro-justice slogans. They urged upon the authorities to implement Minimum Wages Act in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have been engaged in the PHE department in 2006 under rule 7 of SRO 64 of 1994 after proper procedure and completion of all formalities,” said the protestors.
The protestors said they have been working honestly to serve the department. “Under rules, our services should have been regularized much earlier. The delay in this process is sheer injustice with us,” they said.
Talking to media persons, Shabnam said regularization of the services was the genuine demand of these workers. “The demand for regularization of casual labourers, daily wagers and all types of temporary workers is one of the top agendas of the EJAC and no compromise will be made on this demand,” he said.
Similarly, casual labourers of Tourism Department also staged a protest demonstration here, demanding release of pending wages. The protestors assembled in the premises of Directorate of Tourism Department in Srinagar and raised pro-justice slogans.
“We have not been paid our wages since July 2014. Despite assurances, the wages have not been released till date, forcing us to take streets,” said Qaiser Ahmad, a protestor. “We have been facing immense problems. We are unable to take care of our families. Despite working hard for the department we are being deprived of our hard earned wages.”
He said Tourism department has cleared the names of 342 casual labourers on its website but only 14 of them were getting the wages. “We appeal to Lieutenant Governor to intervene in the matter and direct concerned authorities to release our wages forthwith,” said protestors, adding they would intensify protests in case their wages were not released.