Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 11: The J&K Casual Labourers’ United Front (JKCLUF) today demanded a clear and time-bound policy for the regularisation of daily wagers and casual labourers, as promised by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The demand was raised during a protest demonstration at Lal Mandi here, where scores of workers from various departments gathered, raising slogans and highlighting their long-pending demands.
Speaking to reporters, JKCLUF representative Jehangir Ahmad Haji said casual labourers had been suffering for decades due to the absence of a concrete regularisation policy.
“We have been fighting for regularisation for years – during elected Governments as well as the LG administration – but the issue remains unresolved,” he said.
Referring to the Chief Minister’s assurance of phase-wise regularisation, Haji said workers were hopeful but sought clarity.
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“We appreciate the announcement, but now we want a clear policy – when it will begin and what mechanism will be followed. If a concrete policy is not framed, we will be forced to take to the streets,” he warned.
All Daily Wagers Association President Tartaj Ahmad Shah, from the Agriculture Department, said that the Government was elected to resolve the issues of workers.
“If the promises are not fulfilled, we will intensify our agitation,” he said.
The leaders urged the Government to immediately address the long-pending demands, warning that continued delays had caused severe financial and social distress to thousands of families.
They also expressed concern over rising unemployment and inflation, calling for a comprehensive employment policy and effective measures to curb the soaring cost of living.
The front leadership also sought the release of pending financial dues, including GPF, gratuity, leave salary and commutation, reportedly pending in treasuries for the past one year.
Other demands included the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), promotion of KAS and Feeding Cadre officers against long-vacant posts, removal of pay anomalies, release of frozen dearness allowance for the COVID-19 period, implementation of the 8th Pay Commission, and enhancement of old-age pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000.
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