early times report
Gool, Oct 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Employees Joint Action Committee (J&K EJAC) Gool today held an important meeting to discuss various employees’ issues and to announce the organisation of a grand Employees’ Convention scheduled for next month.
The meeting was convened as part of the ongoing statewide mobilisation campaign launched under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Mohd Ashraf Sheikh, State President JK Teachers Forum (JKTF), State President NMOPS-J&K, and Provincial President J&K EJAC.
The meeting was Presided over by Mr. Jalil Ahmed Sheikh, Sub-Divisional President EJAC Gool, and co-chaired by Mr. Altaf Hussain Manhas, General Secretary EJAC Gool, the session witnessed enthusiastic participation from employees representing multiple departments, associations, and unions. Prominent among those who attended were Mr. Irfan Shan, District President NMOPS and Block President JKMEF Gool; Mr. Wasim Shan, Senior Vice President EJAC Gool; Ms. Jabina Tabassum, President Anganwadi Workers Association Gool; Ms. Zahida Begum, President AAYA Association Gool; Mr. Alfaz Sharif, Joint Secretary EJAC Gool; and Mr. Tarshool Singh, Publicity Secretary EJAC Gool, along with senior members and dedicated workers from across the sub-division. During the meeting, participants expressed serious concern over the increasing neglect of employee grievances, deteriorating working conditions, and the absence of fair policy implementation across departments.
They unanimously observed that employees form the backbone of public administration and deserve respect, regularisation, and social security.
The participants raised key demands, including the regularisation of daily wagers, contractual and consolidated employees, timely release of wages and arrears, enhancement of honorarium for Anganwadi and AAYA workers, cooks, and contingent-paid staff, implementation of a transparent transfer policy, and, most significantly, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for all government employees. Speakers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the New Pension System (NPS), terming it unjust and detrimental to employees’ post-retirement security, while asserting that restoration of the Old Pension Scheme is a matter of social justice and dignity.
The members resolved to continue their peaceful and democratic struggle under the united banner of J&K EJAC and NMOPS, reaffirming full faith in the leadership of Mr. Mohd Ashraf Sheikh, whose efforts have successfully mobilised thousands of employees across the Union Territory. In his address, Mr. Jalil Ahmed Sheikh lauded the enthusiasm of participants and stressed that unity among all categories—teaching, non-teaching, technical, and support staff—is vital for achieving their collective goals. He reiterated that EJAC, as an umbrella organisation, represents every section of the working class and remains committed to safeguarding their rights. He also announced that a massive Employees’ Convention would soon be organised at Gool as part of the ongoing mobilisation drive, to be attended by senior leaders from EJAC, NMOPS, and JKTF, aimed at educating, motivating, and strengthening the movement for OPS restoration and regularisation of all temporary employees. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Altaf Hussain Manhas extended gratitude to all representatives and reaffirmed that EJAC will continue to act as a bridge between the workforce and the administration, standing firmly for justice and employee welfare. Other speakers, including Mr. Irfan Shan, Mr. Wasim Shan, Ms. Jabina Tabassum, Ms. Zahida Begum, and Mr. Tarshool Singh, highlighted the hardships of low-paid employees and appealed for immediate government intervention. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Alfaz Sharif, who praised all participants for their solidarity and reaffirmed that EJAC and NMOPS will intensify their joint campaign across all levels to ensure employees’ voices reach the corridors of power, pledging continued unity under the leadership of Mr. Mohd Ashraf Sheikh in the struggle for justice, equality
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