Srinagar, Nov 14 (KNS): Chairman Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Front  ( PDF) and Former Minister Hakeem Yaseen has expressed serious concern over the arbitrary salary cut against poor J&K Bank ATM Gaurds , terming it as sheer injustice and an act of cruelty.

In a statement issued to KNS, Hakeem Yaseen while terming wage cut of Rs 2000 per month against JK Bank ATM Gaurds as sheer injustice, has said that under the Central Minimum Wages Act, these workers are entitled for wages @ Rs 500 per day and must be paid accordingly. He has rued government for showing indifference towards the plight of poor daily wagers adding that instead of enhancing their wages, in view of skyrocketing dearness in the market, JK Bank authorities in connivance with a private security agency, has resorted to a sharp Salary cut against them, which was unacceptable and unaffordable by all means .

PDF Chairman said that security Gaurds are recognised as Skilled workers under Central Minimum Wages Act and were entitled for wages @Rs 500/day (Rs 1500) under Central Act. "In J&K they must at least get Rs 350/day (Rs 10500 / month) but J&K Bank has hired an unethical Security Company which is forcing the poor Security Guards to take Rs 5500/month, Hakeem Yaseen added. He said these ATM Guards were paid Rs 7500 plus C P. fund of Rs 1620 by earlier Peregrine Gaurding Security Company until last month.

Hakeem Yaseen has urged the JK Bank authorities to cancel the contract of the new Security Company and register all the ATM Guards on its regular Bank rolls so that such situations does not arise in future.

Hakeem Yaseen has also urged the LG Manoj Sinha to redress the grievances of daily wagers working in various government and semi government departments without further delay and regularise their services in a phased manner so that uncertainty and anxiety about their bleak future ends. "They are the real workers who run the overall public delivery system on ground," Hakeem Yaseen maintained. (KNS)