PHE daily wagers demand regularization, release of wages

PHE daily wage workers' leaders talking to media-persons at B C Road PHE Complex in Jammu on Saturday. —Excelsior/Rakesh
PHE daily wage workers' leaders talking to media-persons at B C Road PHE Complex in Jammu on Saturday. —Excelsior/Rakesh

Indefinite protest-dharna enters 779th day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 10: The Jal Shakti (PHE) Department workers/daily wagers’ protest-dharna entered 779th day outside the office of Chief Engineer PHE/ Jal Shakti Department at BC Road office complex in Jammu today.
These workers are protesting in support of the their demand of regularization and release of their long pending wages. The PHE authorities failed to release their pending wages of about 80 months. Despite assurances by the LG’s administration their regularization is still awaited. Their strike and protest dharna continued for the last 779 days, outside the office of Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, B C Road Jammu.
Talking to media-persons here today, Ravi Hans , the Union leader said that hapless workers are on strike since June 22, 2022, demanding release of their pending wages and regularization of their services. He said despite several rounds of talks with higher authorities in the Department, their issues could not be resolved. Moreover, assurance by Lt Governor did not yield results.
The employees representatives including Rajinder Singh Taj and Hoshiar Singh claimed that they will continue their agitation till justice is accorded to them. They said these helpless workers are demanding regularization, enhancement of minimum wages as per Central Government norms in J&K UT and release of over 80 months wages.
They said their families are facing starvation due to non-payment of their wages. They are unable to pay the school fee of their children. Despite long protest-dharnas, the LG Administration and the BJP leadership has been ignoring the burning issues of the daily wagers. Even the assurance by the LG has failed to resolve the long pending issues of the PHE daily wagers, they added.