Casual labourers protest against non-regularisation

Wildlife Deptt casual workers during a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Shakeel
Wildlife Deptt casual workers during a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Shakeel

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 29: Casual labourers and daily wagers of the Wildlife Department staged a protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence today, demanding regularisation of their services and the release of pending wages.

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Scores of workers gathered outside the CM’s residence, but the police stationed there prevented them from continuing their protest, dispersed them, and detained a few.
“We have been working in the department for the last 25 years, yet we are not paid fairly for our work. Our families are suffering, and the Government must come to our aid,” said one of the protestors.
He alleged that instead of receiving Rs 9,000 per month, they are paid only Rs 3,000, and even that amount is not disbursed on time.
“Even this meagre amount is paid irregularly-just once between one Eid and another-despite us working round the clock,” the protestors said.
The workers stated that they had approached various authorities with their grievances, but their concerns remained unaddressed.
“Whenever there is a crisis-whether a fire or capturing wild animals-we are called to work. Yet, no one cares about our welfare,” they lamented.
The casual labourers and daily wagers raised slogans in support of their demands, calling for justice and adherence to the Minimum Wages Act.
As the police dispersed the demonstrators, they informed them that protests at the location require prior permission.
“We do not have permission, but it is our right to seek justice and protest. They cannot stop us-this is sheer high-handedness. There is an elected Government now, and we expected some relief,” the protestors said as they were dispersed.