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| In Delhi daily wagers get Rs 807 per day, in J&K they get Rs 225 | | Govt in no mood to implement Minimum Wages Act, over 60000 need based workers suffer silently | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 11: More than 60,000 need base workers, daily wagers and casual laborers in Jammu and Kashmir are being denied benefits that come under the ambit of Minimum Wages Act.
According to the Act a casual laborer is entitled to get at least Rs 600 per day as his/her wage. In Jammu and Kashmir however, it is merely Rs 225.
Pertinently, many State and UT governments have implemented Minimum Wage Act to ensure survival of the need based workers but J&K Government seems least interested in doing so.
Recently, National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi revised the minimum wages rates in scheduled employment under the Minimum Wages Act 1948. As per the notification, the non- matriculates workers are paid a minimum Rs 675/- per day. Workers with above Matric qualification are paid Rs 752/- per day while as graduates are paid Rs 807/- per day.
It is ironic that no such measure is taken for the poor and economically downtrodden daily wagers in J&K. “This is a gross human rights violation. A worker in a government department engaged on a need basis is paid mere Rs 225 a day. It doesn’t even sum up to Rs 6000 a month when holidays are deducted. How could a need based worker survive under such tumultuous circumstances. While the Dearness Allowance and Housing Rent of the permanent employees is hiked every year, it is ironic to find a casual laborer working for years on such a meager sum. This cruel injustice must end. The minimum wages act must be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir in letter and in spirit. Sooner the better,” said a daily wager.
Pertinently, there are more than 60,000 daily-wagers working amid the trying circumstances on meager wages for decades and there is no official word pertaining to the confirmation of their services in the government.
These unfortunate workers are denied wages even for months and we have seen the heart wrenching pictures of the children of these workers protesting at various places, holding placards in their hands, wanting for the government to listen to their plight and address it on humanitarian grounds.
Ironically, even the wages disbursed in their favour are too meager to even cover the basic living costs for them. In the prevalent situation when cost of living has drastically surged, these workers are paid Rs 225/- per day. It needs to be revised. |
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