Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Alleging harassment and exploitation, hundreds of Anganwadi workers and helpers today declared their massive protest programme near MA Stadium on April 11.
Addressing a joint press conference senior trade unionist and president J&K National Trade Union Front Mohd Gafoor Dar, Anganwadi Workers Association leaders Mehajbeen and Nahida said that the workers and helpers of the ICDS centres are facing exploitation and unnecessary harassment at the hands of their senior officers.
They are getting very meager wages and remain unpaid for the months together for the reason best known to the senior officers of the department. For the last over six years, there was no hike in their wages. Moreover, Mission Directorate was created about two years back but no new recruitment rules have been framed. The process of promotions has been stopped since long and many Anganwadi workers who are graduates or undergraduates and have rendered over 20 years of service are still waiting for their promotion.
Mr Dar alleged that even ASHA workers are not paid for the last two years. Casual labours are also on the protest and demanding regularisation. The authorities have failed to solve their issues. He also demanded conduct of DPC in the ICDS projects, enhancement of wages of Workers and Helpers and release of 12 DA in favour of employees and pensioners.
He declared that on April 11 a massive protest programme is being organised under the banner of NTUF near M A Stadium/ Dogra Chowk in Jammu. He appealed to the Anganwadi workers, helpers and Asha and casual workers to make their pogramme successful.
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