Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, (DD): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to protesting daily wage workers in Jammu and Kashmir to call off their strike, assuring them that the government is actively working on a comprehensive policy for their regularization. His statement comes amid growing unrest, with daily wagers staging demonstrations and demanding job security, pending wages, and fair treatment.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah highlighted the formation of a high-level committee, led by the Chief Secretary, tasked with formulating a policy within six months. “We understand the hardships faced by daily wagers. The government is committed to finding a lasting solution, and we request them to end the strike and allow the committee to do its work,” he said.
However, the protests took a dramatic turn when police intervened to stop a march by Public Health Engineering (PHE) daily wagers in Jammu, who attempted to reach the Chief Minister’s residence. Minor clashes ensued, with security forces resorting to cane charges to disperse the crowd. The workers, under the banner of the PHE Employees Union, have extended their 72-hour strike, vowing to continue until concrete measures are announced.
The issue also triggered political turbulence, with BJP legislators staging a walkout from the Assembly, accusing the government of failing to address the workers’ plight. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary countered, stating that the BJP had failed to act on the issue during its tenure, while the current administration had swiftly constituted a committee to resolve it.
With tensions mounting, all eyes are on the government’s next move. Whether the committee’s recommendations will bring relief to thousands of daily wagers remains to be seen, but for now, the workers remain firm in their demands, and the administration faces the challenge of balancing fiscal constraints with labor rights.(DD)
