Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 25: The J&K Casual Daily Wagers’ Forum today demanded that budget preparations be carried out in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act.
Addressing a press conference, the Forum’s president, Sajad Parray, stated that with budget discussions approaching, if no decision is taken by the evening of November 27, employees will stage a symbolic protest to press for their demands.
“The administration seems prepared, but the Government does not appear ready for minimum wages, as it has already indicated that budget preparations should follow the old rates,” he said.
Parray highlighted that it seems workers will continue to receive wages of Rs 311 per day until a regularization policy is introduced.
“This is injustice. The Prime Minister has said that lower-level employees will get justice and the Minimum Wages Act will be implemented. Even the Home Minister, during his visit to Jammu, assured that the act would be enforced, but it is still nowhere to be seen,” he said.
He further noted that an order issued by the Government of India on September 25, 2024, announced increased wages, but the same has not been implemented in J&K.
“Unfortunately, two months have passed, and neither the LG administration, the bureaucracy, nor the Chief Minister has taken any steps in this regard. We are still receiving wages based on outdated rates,” he said.
Parray urged the Chief Minister and his Ministers to ensure that the departments under them adhere to the orders issued by the Central Ministry of Labour while preparing the budget.
He also stressed that if the Government intends to frame a regularization policy, it must consult worker representatives.
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