Daily Wage Workers Demand Regularisation in Jammu and Kashmir, Threaten Protest

In a significant show of discontent, hundreds of daily wage employees from the Jal Shakti department gathered to protest Thursday, urging the government to release a crucial report on the regularisation of their services. The demonstration, led by the PHE Employees United Front in Jammu, amplifies ongoing discontent among the workers who have petitioned the government to table the report in the Assembly.

Emotions ran high as workers chanted 'We want justice' during a dharna at the Jal Shakti office, strategically timed with the first day of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly's autumn session. The workers have been in protest for over 1,200 days, seeking regularisation and the implementation of the Minimum Wages Act, revealing a chronic plight that has spanned more than two decades.

PHE leader Ravi Hans highlighted the government's previous promises, including a committee formed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the last assembly session. The committee, tasked with examining the issues facing 67,000 daily wage workers, was meant to provide a report by September 19. With no report forthcoming, the workers warn of an intensified protest on October 27 if their demands remain unmet.