JAMMU: After 15 days continuous protest to show anguish against the concerned authority, the food and allied workers today took out a protest rally from Exhibition Ground which was proposed to culminate at Governor House to present a memorandum of demands but it was foiled at Press Club forcibly by the local administration similarly the rally held at Press Club, Srinagar was stopped by police at Srinagar and arrested some workers.
“These workers are on continuous strike for the last 15 days but no heed has been paid towards them so the workers wanted to present the memorandum of demands to Governor but the administration forcibly tried to suppress the voice of the workers and did not allow the workers to move,” protesters said.
The workers strongly condemned the police action and administration to suppress the voice of workers in democratic system.
The work throughout the State has been paralysed for redressal of their long pending genuine demands which have not been conceded till date, they said.
The workers are demanding enhancement of loading/unloading bag rates, grant of Minimum Guarantee Wages at par with FCI pattern, issue of the engagement orders of 17 workers of Muffasil Depots and 12 workers for replacement of stores and release of wages before 10th of each month. He appealed to the concerned officers to settle their issues failing which they shall be forced to continue their struggle.
While addressing the workers, Bishan Dass said, “Our strike will continue till our demands not fulfilled.” He strongly criticised the officers of CAPD Department for not paying attention towards the poor workers as they are not conceding their demands.
Bishan Dass appealed to all the main stream political parties to come forward and raise voice against the highhandedness.