Ehsaan Yousf
Warns Against Attempts to Divide Employees
Srinagar, August 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Casual Daily Wagers Forum has announced a peaceful protest on September 1, demanding immediate action on the long-pending regularisation of around 61,000 daily wagers across the Union Territory.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Forum President Sajad Ahmad Parray said a committee headed by the Chief Secretary was constituted on March 11, 2025, to prepare a roadmap for the regularisation of daily wagers and submit its report and recommendations within six months.
He said the Chief Minister had subsequently assured the Legislative Assembly that the regularisation process would begin during the current financial year. However, Parray said that despite the passage of 17 months, there was still no clarity regarding the committee’s report or recommendations.
Parray questioned the delay in addressing the concerns of daily wagers, saying that thousands of employees had been waiting for years for a permanent solution to their problems.
He said nearly 4.5 lakh employees, three lakh pensioners and around 61,000 daily wagers, along with their dependent family members, had placed their faith in promises regarding regularisation and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.
“Daily wagers have been working for decades in difficult and hazardous conditions, including risking their lives on electric poles, but many continue to face an uncertain future even after years of service,” he said.
Highlighting their financial difficulties, Parray said that surviving on a monthly remuneration of around ₹9,000 had become increasingly difficult amid rising prices, household expenses, medical costs, children’s education and utility bills.
He alleged that successive governments and political leaderships had failed to resolve the issue and also accused some employee and trade union leaders of using the struggles of daily wagers for their own interests. At the same time, he appreciated those who had genuinely supported their cause.
Parray also warned against attempts to divide employees and daily wagers.
“Certain individuals have attempted to divide and fragment the collective strength of employees. The hapless daily wagers have suffered the consequences of such divisions in the past. This will not be allowed now,” he asserted.
He said unity and collective coordination remained the biggest strength of employees and daily wagers and that every attempt to create divisions would be firmly resisted.
Announcing the next course of action, Parray said the September 1 protest would mark the first phase of a renewed and organised democratic struggle against the prolonged delay in regularisation and what he termed the failure to fulfil commitments made to the daily-wager community.
He appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to honour the commitment made in the election manifesto and the assurance given on the floor of the Assembly regarding regularisation.
The Forum also urged daily wagers working under different designations and in various departments to remain united and prepare for a sustained democratic struggle, including peaceful protests, hunger strikes and work-stoppage programmes, if the government continues to delay a permanent solution.
“Employees and daily wagers must remain united, organised and coordinated. We cannot allow past divisions to weaken our collective struggle again. Our unity is our strength, and we will fight together for justice, dignity and a secure future,” Parray said.
