DODA, Nov 4: The All Jammu and Kashmir Low Paid Employees Federation, Doda, held an important meeting under the leadership of District President Niaz Ahmed Rahi, during which various issues confronting employees, regularisation of temporary workers and the long-pending demands of NHM employees were discussed in detail.
The meeting was attended by senior federation leaders Ghulam Hassan Pampori, Shakeel Ahmed Dev, Nizam-ud-Din Butt, NHM employees’ leader Dr. Nasir Masood Andrabi, Inayatullah Shan from PWD, Suresh Kumar from Bhaderwah, Hakim Singh from Thathri, Safai Karamchari Mohammad Rafiq and Mohammad Saleem Wani from PHE, besides other employees.
On the occasion, the speakers expressed strong resentment over the government’s failure to address the long-pending demands of employees. They said that temporary workers serving in departments such as PHE and PWD, as well as Safai Karamcharis and employees in other departments, have been working for the past two decades on a meagre monthly wage of just Rs 9,000. Several of them have even retired after rendering years of service without receiving the benefits and facilities enjoyed by regular employees.
Ghulam Hassan Pampori, Shakeel Ahmed Dev and Dr. Nasir Masood Andrabi demanded the regularisation of all temporary employees, including NHM doctors, paramedical staff and other workers, besides the early resolution of their long-pending issues. They also accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of reneging on its promises, alleging that commitments made to employees have not been translated into action.
The speakers further pointed out that soon after Ladakh became a separate Union Territory, several employee-related issues there were resolved and the medical allowance was enhanced from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000, whereas employees in Jammu and Kashmir are still receiving only Rs 300 as medical allowance.
They said that the entire healthcare system largely depends on the services of NHM employees, but whenever they raise their demands, they are given assurances to call off their strikes, while their issues continue to remain unresolved.
During the meeting, federation leaders also expressed resentment against the district administration for not granting permission to hold the programme at the Old Bus Stand in Doda. They asserted that any injustice towards employees would not be tolerated and that the federation would continue its struggle for their rights.
The Low Paid Employees Federation also resolved to continue its struggle for the rights of low-paid employees in the future, stressing that unity among all employees under one banner was essential to achieve their legitimate demands.