Srinagar, Jul 09: J&K Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Wednesday criticised the authorities for disallowing its one-day peaceful protest at Sher-i-Kashmir Park, Srinagar, on Wednesday, to address issues faced by the working class.The CITU, in a press release issued here, said it had sought proper permission from the district administration, but the protest was disallowed for reasons that have not been disclosed.The trade union’s demand charter includes the repeal of the four new Labour Codes, an end to contractualisation and privatisation of public sector units, and the creation of more government jobs through regular recruitment, according to the statement. It also calls for raising the national minimum wage to Rs 26,000 per month, strengthening rural employment schemes like MGNREGA and introducing similar programs in urban areas, as well as providing loan waivers for farmers.Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami, State President of J&K CITU, condemned the administration’s decision to disallow the scheduled protest, calling it highly undemocratic.“The working force, which includes daily wagers, casual laborers, scheme workers such as Anganwadi and ASHA workers, CPWs, HDF workers, NHM employees, construction workers, MDM staff, artisans, apple farmers, transport workers, horticulture workers, electricity workers, and former employees of J&K Cements Ltd., are being denied the opportunity to highlight their pressing issues,” he said.Tarigami described this as a gross violation of trade union rights and accused the central government of attempting to suppress the democratic rights and aspirations of the working people. He urged the authorities to repeal the four “anti-labour” Labour Codes, which he described as “pro-corporate” in nature, and to implement a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month for workers in J&K.The CITU leader called for expediting the regularisation of daily wagers and scheme workers, including those employed by NHM, and to end what he termed as contractualisation and privatisation in government services. He called for the creation of more government jobs through regular recruitment and for the implementation of schemes such as crop insurance to support farmers.Highlighting the disparity in wages, Tarigami said that wages in J&K are comparatively lower than those in other states and union territories, and demanded that honorariums for Anganwadi and ASHA workers be increased to levels comparable to those in Telangana, Kerala, West Bengal, and Delhi.“Social security measures, including pensions, should be extended to the entire workforce, ensuring security and dignity for all workers in the region,” he said.
