JAMMU: Protest launched by the food and allied workers in main food stores at Jammu, entered into fifth day today while similar protest was launched in Srinagar which entered fourth day.
The protesting workers raised slogans in support of their demands, which include enhancement of loading-unloading of bag rates as per price index, grant of minimum guarantee wage on FCI pattern, payment of wages by 10th of each month and engagement of 17 workers at Muffasil depots.
While addressing the protest, President of the Union, Bishan Dass explained that loading-unloading charges have not been increased right from 2012 even as the prices of all essential items have multiplied since then. Further, he added, the workers are also aggrieved on account of delayed payment of monthly wages, which adversely affects the benefits of PF, ESI, LIC etc.
He warned to further intensify the ongoing agitation and extend the same to Muffasil food stores in all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir State. “If our demands are not conceded, the operations in all food stores across the State shall be struck,” he threatened.
The leaders of the union expressed anguish over the delaying and deferring tactics adopted by the officers.
They also appealed to the government for lending immediate attention in resolving their demands.