RTI Movement demands Minimum Wages norms for J&K’s health workers

Srinagar March 1: The Consolidated Health Workers Union J&K, in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement, today held a protest outside the office of Directorate of Health Kashmir on Monday. The health workers which included consolidated and part time sweepers, helpers , drivers were raising slogans to implement the Minimum Wages Act in the Health Department.

Chairman RTI Movement, who led the protest, said that the Government enacts laws like Minimum Wages Act and violates the same. He said that consolidated workers in the Health Department like sweepers, helpers and drivers, who risked their lives, were being paid as less as Rs 100 or Rs 500 per month ‘which is an act of bonded labour.’

“If some private institution would be involved in violating the Minimum Wages Act, the institution would be liable for government action, but who will make the government accountable when they are paying mere Rs 100 or Rs 500 to its workers some of whom are working in the department for the last 20 to 30 years”, said Dr Raja Muzaffar.

Patron of Consolidated Health Workers, Gulzar Ahmad Chopan, Chairman Abdul Ahad Sheikh and Sajad Ahmad Parray Chairman Casual Daily-Wagers Forum also addressed the protesting workers and urged upon government to implement Minimum Wages Act by paying consolidated workers @ Rs 6700 per month in first instance and then regularizing the services of the workers who have served the Health Department for last 10 years or more.