Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Jan 31: Even as the Vocational Trainers (VTs) across Kashmir have been pressing for their demands which includes framing of a job policy as well a hike in their monthly salary, the companies through which VTs are hired are now threatening them for raising voice in favour of their demands.
The companies have sought written statements from all the VTs that state that they are “satisfied” with their jobs and “will not indulge” in highlighting their issues through any platform.
It all started after the VTs started protesting and raising their issues which included regularization of their services and an increase in their monthly salary which has remained the same since their engagement in the years 2016.
In the form of an affidavit, the VTs have been asked to give in writing that they are not involved in sending emails or tweets regarding the complaints about the concerned companies to the higher-ups.
They also have been told to give in writing that they are satisfied with the job and facilities provided by the companies that are responsible for deputing the VTs to the Govt-run schools under the vocational training program run by the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha (DSS).
Pertinent to mention here, earlier, the DSS had also issued a circular asking the VTs to refrain from raising their “petty” issues and that they will have to face action in case they continued to do so.
Notably, the VTs were engaged in the year 2016 after following the set procedure and received a salary of Rs 20,000/- per month. However, as per the VTs, there has not been any hike in their salaries despite a multi-fold increase in the workload.
“The workload has increased while as the salary has remained the same since 2016; apart from teaching in schools, we are employed to carry out other works as well, but that is never acknowledged,” one of the VTs said.
The VTs said that as per the companies as well as the DDS, they do not have a right to form an association to press for their demands as well a right to demand a job policy and salary increment.
“As per them, the VTs do not have a right to ask the coordinators for the payment of guest lectures and industrial visits which we have been carrying out on our own since 2017,” they said.
However, the officials maintained that the scheme is centrally sponsored and the decision concerning the hike in their salaries can only be taken by the central Ministry of Education.
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