Srinagar, Feb 11 (KNO): The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) on Wednesday announced a sit-in protest at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar on Thursday to press for the regularisation of temporary, contractual and daily-wage employees working across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here, EJAC General Secretary Sajad Ahmad Parray said the organisation expects the government to take its concerns into account before the Chief Secretary-led Committee’s report on regularisation is tabled in the Assembly.
“This fight will continue until every single one of our temporary workers gets justice,” Parray said, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). “The regularisation of over 61,000 temporary workers is not merely an employment issue but a matter of humanity and social justice.”
Highlighting the human cost of the delay, he said the families of temporary workers have been suffering for years, especially their children. “The children of our temporary workers are the future of this nation. If we do not give them proper education today, our future will be ruined,” the EJAC leader said, stressing that education and stability for their families are essential for the region’s future.
Citing the decisions taken during internal deliberations, Parray said the EJAC has resolved that the upcoming protest will begin with the participation of children of temporary workers, followed by their families and the entire workforce. “The families of around 4.5 lakh people dependent on these 61,000 workers will participate,” he said.
He added that the EJAC is pinning its hopes on the Prime Minister’s personal intervention, saying, “We have full hope that the Prime Minister will take personal interest in this matter. We do not believe in the policy of confrontation; we only seek justice and dignity for our workers.”
The EJAC leader urged political parties and public representatives to recognise the issue as one of humanity and social responsibility. “Those who call this a humanitarian matter must fulfil their promises and stand with the working class,” he said.
“We want our work culture to improve, and our social fabric to strengthen,” he said, adding that the sit-in at Sher-e-Kashmir Park tomorrow will reflect both the pain and resilience of thousands of families tied to temporary employment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The EJAC, he said, will continue its peaceful struggle until the government takes compassionate action and addresses its demands before finalising any decision—(KNO)