Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 3: The daily rated and consolidated PHE workers held strong protest demonstration and took out massive rally in support of their pending demands in Jammu city here today.
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The PHE daily wagers including CP workers, ITI trained and need based workers etc. assembled at Exhibition Ground near Press Club in the morning and held protest demonstration. They were shouting slogans against the State PHE authorities and Chief Engineer, PHE Jammu. The PHE workers from various Sub Divisions and PHE Divisions in Jammu and other districts participated in the protest programme.
The protesting workers who are on strike since Sept 7, 2018 were demanding release of their pending wages and their regularization with out any more delay. They claimed that their protest will be continued till their demands are addressed. They said till today they have only received false assurances from the top Govt functionaries. Several trade unionists also addressed the gathering.
The speakers including Tanveer Hussain criticized the higher authorities for not resolving the issues of the PHE daily wagers/ CP workers etc. They alleged that many workers have not been paid for the last more than three years and their families are facing starvation. This is cruel act on the part of State authorities. Their exploitation be stopped forthwith, they said.
After holding protest demonstration for some time at the Press Club, then the protesting workers moved towards Dogra Chowk and Civil Secretariat . They were carrying banners and placards, depicting their demands. They also disrupted movement of traffic for some time on Gumat Road and Dogra Chowk. A strong police contingent led by SDPO City stopped them at JP Chowk near Upper Gumat and foiled their protest march to Secretariat. They were assured by the SDM and Tehsildar that Govt has indicated to decided their fate in a meeting being held on Dec 8. They have written for the release of funds to the tune of Rs 300 crores for them. Then they were dispersed from JP Chowk. Similar protests were held at various district and Sub Divisional headquarters.