Srinagar Mar 14:(KNS)   Congress today extended full support to agitating CPWs (contingent paid Workers) working in Education Department, urging the Govt to release their  pending wages from 2017, besides granting minimum wages act in their favour.

On the directions of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir, District Congress Committee (DCC) Srinagar President Abdul Gani Khan joined agitating CPWs workers at Press enclave Srinagar and extended Party’s full support to their genuine demands.

Abdul Gani Khan was accompanied by Working Srinagar DCC President Mir Ruvais, Vice President DCC Dr.Fayaz, General Secretaries(DCC) Hilal Ahmad Wani and Zulfkar Qureshi.

On this occasion, DCC Srinagar Office bearers said contingent paid workers are confronted with difficult situation in absence of their pending wages from 2017, despite their repeated pleas and agitations, the Govt seems not concerned about their livelihood, whilst the Hon’ Court has reportedly passed directions in 2010 for grant of minimum wages act @ Rs.110 per day in their favour.

They said the demand for minimum wages act in favour of CPWs is quite genuine and deserve to be addressed and also slammed the freezing of posts. They also supported their demand for enhancing the quota from class  IV  posts of Education Deptt from 50% to 100%  in their favour and urged the Govt to come out with a policy to address the demands of CPWs.

DCC Office bearers further said CPWs’ have every right for their absorption in the department on permanent basis, for the fact, they have given their best while performing Covid duties in testing times, with the result, CPWs have been honoured with appreciation certificates on the basis of their performance.

One fails to understand on the one hand Govt utilize services of CPWs and on the other it seems least bothered for their absorption and releasing of pending wages and resolution of various other demands, which is very unfortunate, they added and  urged the LG J&K to intervene into the matter ensuring that  they (CPWs) are regularized, besides their pending wages are released enabling them to sustain their families.

Govt cannot take decisions according to its choice which happen to be  detrimental to the services of  CPWs and other similarly situated casual labours, need based etc working in different department since a long time, they rued.(KNS)