PHE workers protest, seek release of 45 months wages

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Feb 16: PHE workers  held protest demonstration at PHE Complex here in support of their long pending demands here today.
A large number of daily rated/ consolidated/ community participation and other workers under the leadership of Som Nath, senior vice president, PHE Employees Association Jammu province, assembled at the PHE Complex, here in the morning and started protest demonstration. They were shouting slogans in support of their  demands  and also against the Government.
They were  demanding  release of 45 months’ pending wages and provision of much needed facilities, specially  for the night staff  at water pumping stations across the district.  They condemned the attitude of the higher authorities in the PHE, I&FC Department for ignoring the long pending issues of the staff.
While addressing large gathering of workers, Som Nath  alleged that  despite several representations to the SE, Chief Engineer and even to the Minister concerned, Sham  Choudhary, the issues of the workers have remained unresolved. These helpless workers are facing exploitation at the hands of the State Government. They  have been made to work for no wages for the last about 45 months now. It is shameful  on the part of Government which is denying them their wages, he maintained.
Som Nath also alleged that during these chilling cold nights, there was no facility for the night chowkidars and other daily rated staff at the water pumping stations/ dug wells etc. No charcoal was provided to them for night stay there and condition of rooms is also shabby in almost all the stations. There  is no furniture/ benches etc. The duty rooms have not been repaired since long.
He further alleged that  there is shortage of staff at Sub Division and Division level in PHE. There are many stations which are without light. He said that working conditions be improved at these stations. He also urged upon the State Government to remove qualification bar in SRO 520 as workers are engaged there for the last about 15-20 years. He also appealed to the Finance Minister  to arrange funds for the daily rated/ consolidated staff which is unpaid for the last about 45 months now.

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