Jal Shakti Department (PHE) Casual Labourers, Daily Wagers Protest in Budgam, Demand Minimum Wage Implementation & Regularization
Budgam, Feb 25 (KB): Hundreds of casual labourers and daily wagers of Jal Shakti Department (previously Public Health Engineering Department) staged a protest in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday, demanding implementation of the Minimum Wages Act and regularization of their services.
The protesters, as per news agency Kashmir Bulletin, carrying banners and shouting slogans, urged the government to fulfill long-pending promises of fair wages and job security.
The protestors expressed frustration over what they called years of neglect and financial hardships due to meager salaries and lack of job stability.
“We have been working tirelessly for years, ensuring the supply of drinking water to thousands of households. Yet, we are forced to survive on paltry wages, far below the minimum wage standard,” said one of the protestors.
The agitating workers also criticized the authorities for delaying the implementation of the regularization policy, leaving thousands of daily wagers in uncertainty despite repeated assurances.
“We demand immediate implementation of the Minimum Wages Act and a proper roadmap for regularization,” said another protestor, adding, “Our families are suffering, and we cannot continue like this.”
The protesters while urging the government to look into the matter at an earliest, in the meantime said that if the things are not taken into consideration they will soon launch a widespread protest.
The protestors later on dispersed peacefully from the venue. (KB)
