Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 12: The J&K Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) and Casual Daily Wagers Forum today formed a six-member committee, demanding representation in the committee constituted by the Chief Minister for the regularization of workers.
Addressing a press conference, Wajahat Hussain Durani of EJAC said that, along with the forum, they have formed a joint committee to coordinate with the Government-appointed committee to ensure workers’ concerns are addressed.
“We have formed the committee with representatives from both the forum and EJAC across the UT. It will coordinate with the Government committee, provide recommendations, and facilitate the process,” he said.
He urged the Chief Minister to grant their committee representation to ensure a unanimous decision.
“The decision should not be imposed on us. It must be acceptable to everyone, and for that, our committee must be involved,” he said.
Durani expressed hope that the committee would not be a mere formality and would provide recommendations promptly to pave the way for the regularization of workers.
He also raised concerns over the non-implementation of the Minimum Wages Act in J&K, which, he said, was ignored by the Government.
“The Act, on par with other States and UTs, must be implemented in J&K. Legislators should take note of this and raise the matter in the House,” he said.
Sajad Parray of the Casual Daily Wagers Forum welcomed the government’s decision to form a committee to draft a roadmap for worker regularization.
However, he pointed out that this was the fourth such committee on the issue.
“First, the NC-Congress coalition formed a cabinet subcommittee. Then, the Governor constituted a high-level committee, followed by another formed by the PDP-BJP Government. Now, this Government has set up yet another committee,” he said, stressing the need for their six-member joint committee’s inclusion to highlight workers’ issues.
He added that the Government already has all relevant data and details and that only a decision is required.
“Our committee must be taken on board so that our concerns are addressed, ensuring that when the final report is submitted, no further issues arise.”
Parray noted that the regularization process would take several months.
However, until then, he demanded the implementation of the Minimum Wages Act, warning that failure to do so would result in protests at district headquarters to remind the Government of its promises.
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