On the International May Day on Friday, daily rated workers reiterated their demand for implementation of Minimum Wages Act in J&K.
Amid the COVID19 lockdown, several organizations observedthe Day via virtual mode while many posted their demands on social media.
Sajad Parray, chairman J&K Daily Wagers Forum held abrief sit-in along with two persons at Press Enclave here to seekimplementation of the Act.
While lauding efforts of COVID19 warriors, he saidauthorities must note that most of these warriors were daily rated works.
“You will find most of the daily rated workers on duty amidthe lockdown to ensure people get essential services,” he said.
He said the daily rated workers were being paid “peanuts.””J&K government must ensure providing minimum wages of Rs 18,000 per month,social security benefits including pension, gratuity, provident fund, maternitybenefits and regularization of workers engaged under various schemes,” he said.
He said ASHAs under NHM, anganwadi workers and helpers,CPWs, midday meal workers, MGNREGA employees, contractual and constructionworkers, need based, seasonal, casual labouers and daily wagers were neglectedand their long pending demands were not met.
Parray said wages of daily rated workers engaged in variousdepartments have been withheld for more than 13 months. “Their children are atthe verge of starvation,” he said.
He said in many cases, in absence of release of wages, dailyrated workers had to sell jewellery of spouses to feed family and meet schoolexpenses of children.
“We are getting peanuts against our hard work. The reasonfor continuing with the work is a hope for better future through regularizationof our services,” he said.
He said even the meager wages they get have been withheld bythe authorities for the past several months.
“This is all against the principles of justice. You(government) make us to work like anything but at the end of the day deny us thewages,” he said.
He appealed the government to implement Minimum Wages Act inJ&K “as was promised by Prime Minister after 5 August 2020.”
“On this Day, this is symbolic protest to reiterate ourdemands, apprise our plight and remind authorities of their promises they madewith us,” he said.