PHE workers’ strike enters 34th day

PHE daily rated workers staging protest dharna at BC Road PHE Complex in Jammu on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
PHE daily rated workers staging protest dharna at BC Road PHE Complex in Jammu on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 29- The strike of the PHE/ Jal Shakti department daily rated/ consolidated workers continued on the 34st consecutive day today.
The workers of Jal Shakti / PHE department, under the banner of PHE Employees United Front, held strong protest demonstration in front of Chief Engineer’s office at BC Road, Jammu. The Front leaders also criticized Chief Secretary of J&K UT for his comments. They also alleged that some agents were trying to weaken the agitation and going to meet leaders in Delhi, who have nothing to do with the agitation.
The workers were shouting slogans against the UT Administration and BJP Government at the Centre. They alleged that BJP has failed to resolve the pending issues of the workers and employees despite long protests and many representations to the higher authorities.
The protesting workers were demanding their regularization, release of pending 65 months’ wages of many workers, implement Minimum Wages Act in J&K on Central pattern and revoke 12 vouchers’ rider. After holding strong protest demonstration, they sat on day long dharna in the BC Road PHE office complex.
They claimed that the agitation would be continued till their demands are addressed by the Government. The members alleged that J&K Administration itself wants to worsen the situation. During Covid, daily wagers do not want to assemble in large number but the Administration has forced them to go for agitation. Receiving no response from Government, the United Front decided to extend strike for the next 72 hours.
Senior members Navdeep Singh, Rajinder Singh, Hoshiar Singh, Ravi Singh, Bhanu Partap, Jyoti Parkash, Binkal Manhas, Mohan Lal and others also spoke on the occasion.