Srinagar: Employees Joint Action Committee Jammu Kashmir (EJAC) has expressed its dissent over the recent comments of the Chief Secretary of Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the regularization of casual labourers, daily wagers, ITI workers and other types of temporary workers.
In a statement EJAC President Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam said that it is quite unfortunate that all the casual labourers, daily wagers, ITI workers and other types of temporary workers have paid and are still paying the price for the misdoings of some persons. He emphasized on the fact that the services of the majority of these workers and labourers have been utilized under proper norms and regulations as established by the government from time to time. He said that the majority of these workers and labourers have been working in various departments for more than 25 years and are yet to be regularized. They have turned overage because of which they can’t apply to any jobs now. Their families are on the verge of starvation and they are being compelled to pull out their children from schools because of the non-availability of money to pay their fees.
“The casual labourers, daily wagers, ITI workers and all types of temporary workers are the frontline warriors in every calamity that has befallen over the people of J&K and are working on the same parameters and capabilities as that of regular employees and to regularize them is not only the moral obligation of the government but also the genuine right of them” he said.
Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam also put forth that the regularization of casual labourers, daily wagers, ITI workers and all types of temporary workers is not a new agenda of the association but it has been there since decades. The previous governments have time and again made agreements with the EJAC leadership regarding the regularization of these workers but till now no positive outcome arose in this regard. Even the present government made promises to rehabilitate them including the implementation of Minimum Wages Act but till now that has not seen the light of day. Also these temporary workers have continuously been given a cold shoulder by the government which has forced the EJAC to come out on streets and protest for their rights time and again.
He further added that EJAC will continue to strive for the genuine rights of casual labourers, daily wagers, ITI workers and all types of temporary workers and will always stand with them till their genuine demands are not fulfilled.
He urged the government to shed off its step motherly approach towards these labourers and workers and view them through the prism of humanity so that they will get their share of justice for which they have sacrificed a lot over the past few decades.

KR Desk