Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 21: CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami today demanded the timely release of wages and a hike in the monthly honorarium for scheme workers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at an event marking the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Silk Factory protest in Srinagar, Tarigami paid tribute to the workers who were killed while demanding better wages and working conditions.
He linked the historic protest to the current plight of scheme workers, casual labourers, and journalists in Jammu and Kashmir. “Casual labourers, daily wagers, ad-hoc appointees, and scheme workers in various Government departments are still being denied the minimum wage of Rs. 26,000 per month as recommended by the Indian Labour Conference. Even Ladakh has taken better steps in this regard,” he said.
Tarigami urged the Government to act immediately, saying, “Elected representatives, even with limited powers, must raise the issues of the working class.”
He also voiced concern over threats to press freedom in the region.
Criticizing the BJP-led central Government’s labour reforms, he said the new labour codes favour corporates while weakening protections for workers. “What have they given the working class except the dilution of their rights?” he asked.
Calling for active journalist unions and job security for media workers, Tarigami concluded, “As we honour the martyrs of July 21, let us remember-they only wanted to be treated as human beings. A century later, workers are still demanding the same.”
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