Srinagar March 6: Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement along with Consolidated-basis Health Workers today held a candle light protest at Press Enclave Srinagar pressing their demand for implementation of Minimum Wages Act in J&K Health Department.
Scores of activists of RTI Movement and health workers which included consolidated and part time sweepers, helpers , drivers assembled in press enclave Srinagar and held a unique protest holding candles in their hands and wearing white shrouds. The protestors led by Chairman RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar were raising slogans for implementation of Minimum Wages Act in the health department.
Dr Raja Muzaffar while talking to reporters said that 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 during COVID 19 pandemic were being paid as less as Rs 100 or Rs 500 per month.
“If some private institution would be involved in violating the minimum wages act , the institution would be exposed and raised by Govt but who will make Govt 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. This is simply an act of Bonded Labour ” said Gulzar Ahmad Patron of Consolidated Health Workers.