Srinagar, Jan 18: State President of Nationalist Mahila Congress, NCP, Mir Arifa Jan, has sought the government’s attention to the implementation of the Central Daily Wagers Act and the Central Minimum Wages Act in Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting a “discrepancy” in daily wages in the Union Territory, she said there is an urgent need for the adoption of fair wages, job security and overall well-being for workers, particularly those engaged in unskilled and semi-skilled jobs.
The concern raised by Mir Arifa Jan centres on the observation that the government pays only Rs 300 per day to daily wagers in the UT, which is lower than the minimum wages stipulated under the Central Daily Wages Act. She advocates for the implementation of the Central Wages pattern, proposing minimum monthly wages of Rs 523 for unskilled, Rs 579 for semi-skilled/unskilled supervisory, Rs 637 for skilled/clerical, and Rs 693 for highly skilled workers per day, according to a statement issued by Nationalist Congress Party.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Mir Arifa had urged immediate attention to the matter.
She said the UT should promptly adopt and implement the Central Daily Wagers Act to safeguard the rights and interests of daily wage workers. The government of Jammu and Kashmir must ensure strict compliance with the Minimum Wages Act by revising wages for various categories of work in accordance with the rates set by the Central government, she added.
The NCP leader said periodic reviews and revisions of minimum wages should be conducted, not exceeding five years, to align with changing economic conditions.
Arifa Jan said the intervention of the Chief Secretary is crucial in securing the rights and well-being of daily wage workers in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Nationalist Mahila Congress anticipates positive changes through the swift implementation of the Central Wages Act, aiming to benefit daily wage workers and promote equitable employment practices in the region,” she said.
