Heatwave: Apni Party urges mandatory breaks for construction workers

Jammu, June 02: Pavneet Kour, Provincial President of the Women Wing of Apni Party, has urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration to implement urgent measures to protect construction workers from the severe heatwave gripping the Union Territory.
Drawing attention to similar steps taken by the administrations in Delhi and Gurugram, which have mandated a three-hour break for all construction workers, Kour emphasized the necessity for Jammu to adopt comparable protective measures, the party said in a statement issued here.
“With temperatures reaching dangerously high levels, it is crucial that we prioritize the health and safety of our labour force. I strongly urge the administration to enforce a compulsory break for all construction workers from 12 PM to 3 PM, the peak heat hours,” Kour stated.
She appealed to the administration to ensure that contractors and builders provide appropriate care for labourers, preventing them from working under the scorching sun. “It is essential that all workers have access to adequate water and shaded rest areas to prevent heat-related illnesses,” she added.
In addition to construction workers, Kour expressed concern for the gig workforce, particularly those employed by online food delivery platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy. She called on these companies to adopt measures that minimize operations during peak heat hours to protect their delivery personnel.
“It is the responsibility of both the administration and employers to safeguard the well-being of their workers. I urge food delivery aggregators to implement policies that reduce delivery demands during the hottest parts of the day to ensure the safety of their gig workers,” Kour emphasized.
“The Apni Party leader’s appeal highlights the critical need for immediate action to protect vulnerable workers from the extreme heat, urging a collaborative effort between the administration and employers to ensure the health and safety of all labourers in the Union Territory,” the statement said.