JK CITU hold protest against new recruitment policy

Jammu, November 08 (Scoop News)- A massive protest/Jail Bharo programme was organized by J&K Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) today  on the call of Central Trade Unions and National Federations to oppose anti-youth new recruitment policy of J&K govt., high price rise, enforcement of labour laws, fixation of statutory minimum wages at not less than Rs. 10,000/- per month.

The workers of various unions i.e., J&K ASHA Workers Union, Railway Loading & Unloading Workers Union, Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association, Teacher,s Association, Building & other  Construction workers unions, J&K Kisan Tehreek, Chinab Hydro Power Project,s workers union, Bhartiya Coal Khan Mazdoor Union, Kalakot, Medical Representatves Union etc. assembled at Bikram Chowk, Jammu. The rally passed through main bazaars of city like Jewel Chock, Gumat Chowk, City Chowk and culminated at Indira Chowk and hundreds of activists led by M.Y.Tarigami courted arrest. 

   M.Y Tarigami State President CITU and MLA while addressing the rally criticised the frequent hike in the petro-products which lead to overall in-flationatry trends especially of the food items, thus, affecting adversely the poor sections of the society.  He demanded that government should refrain from affecting intermittent hikes in petroleum products and LPG that have direct implications on the consumers and demanded an affective Lok Pal Bill to check the corruption prevailing at all levels of the government.  Rampant corruption prevalent in the state, if not checked with punitive measures is bound to play havoc in the state. Strongly criticizing the anti youth new recruitment policy of the J&K State Govt. He  demanded it’s immediate withdrawal. He further urged the centre and state governments for strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws, universal social security cover for the unorganized sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendations of NCEUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and stoppage of disinvestment of Central and State PSUs. He demanded an affective Lok Pal Bill to check the corruption prevailing at all levels of the government.  Rampant corruption prevalent in the state, if not checked with punitive measures is bound to play havoc in the state.

 Om Parkash, General Secretary, (CITU) demanded amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedule and fixation of statutory minimum wages at not less than Rs.10,000/- per month with index price and removal of all ceiling on payment and illegibility of bonus, provident fund; increase the quantum of gratuity. CITU supports the Strike of workers of Bhartiya Coal Khan Mazdoor Union, Kalakot and Four Lane construction of Road and Tunnel for their just and genuine demands.

 Sham Prasad Kesar, Regional Secretary, CPI(M), Jammu stressed for assured pension for all workers and compulsory registration of Trade Unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Conventions 87 and 98. Kesar further demanded the regularisation of services of ReT teachers, ASHA and Anganwadi workers and helpers.  

 Pawan Gupta, and Ramesh Chand Divisional Secretary & Joint Secretary of LIC Northern Zone criticized the disinvestment of Profit making PSUs. Smt. Sunita Bhagat , Anita and Anu leaders of ASHA Workers Union, Kishore Kumar, Sohan Lal and Banarasi Dass, Kisan Leaders also addressed the gathering