JAMMU, Sep 1: Representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union on Tuesday staged a joint protest and dharna at the Press Club, Jammu, demanding an immediate review of their wages, service conditions and long-pending demand for regularisation.
The protest was held under the chairmanship of Babu Hussain Malik, State President, Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees Joint Action Committee (R), along with Mahajabeen, President, Jammu and Kashmir Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union. Senior trade union leaders Yashpaul Sharma, Madan Sangral, Kamla Sharma, Renu Sharma, Zahida Parveen, Sunita Dewan, Shivani Sharma and Shahida Parveen, among others, participated in the dharna.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers expressed strong resentment over what they described as the “step-motherly treatment” being meted out to Anganwadi workers and helpers. They said Anganwadi workers were working for a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000, while helpers were receiving only Rs 3,000, despite being assigned responsibilities involving multiple departments and duties extending beyond their working hours.
The protesters said they had not been regularised and were deprived of several benefits available to regular government employees. They also expressed concern that Anganwadi workers and helpers in Jammu and Kashmir were allegedly not receiving benefits comparable to their counterparts in other States and Union Territories.
The union put forward several demands, including enhancement of the initial monthly wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers to Rs 15,000, in line with what they described as the remuneration provided to similar workers elsewhere in the country.
The protesters also demanded that the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process be initiated immediately and that eligible Anganwadi workers and helpers be regularised as permanent government employees.
Another demand concerned leave and vacations. The speakers said the workers were neither entitled to leave encashment nor vacations similar to teaching staff, despite performing responsibilities connected with the education system. They demanded that they be considered for vacation benefits where applicable.
The union further demanded enhancement of the monthly mobile data allowance from Rs 160 to Rs 600, citing the increasing use of digital platforms and mobile-based official work.
Babu Hussain Malik, Mahajabeen and other senior trade union leaders appealed to the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to intervene personally and resolve the issues of the Anganwadi workforce at the earliest.
The protesters maintained that improved wages, social security, regularisation and better working conditions were essential to recognise the contribution of Anganwadi workers and helpers towards community welfare and child development.