JAMMU: The Kaam Chhoro Hartal of casual and need based workers of the Power Development Department (PDD) entered the 59th consecutive day here on Wednesday.
The protesters under the banner of All Jammu Province Casual/ Need Based Workers Union of PDD gathered in the Office of Chief Engineer (M&RE) at Bhagwati Nagar Jammu.
They demanded regularisation of workers, who have completed seven years in service.
Speaking on the occasion, Akhil Sharma, State President pointed out that exactly 3,232 casual/need based workers are serving in different divisions of PDD. They are facing exploitation as on meager wages they are working extra hard and for long hours than the regular staff.
These helpless workers are unable to feed their families and provide good education to their children.
They were also demanding release of their wages, regularisation policy of workers, insurance policy for them and compensation to death/ handicapped cases while at work.
The Union President said that the workers have resolved to celebrate Dewali in the protest venue with their family members if government fails to release wages before 29th October.
Others who spoke on the occasion include Shesh Kumar, Sham Sharma, Sanjeev, Ashish Verma, Vishal, Ashwani Kumar, Shamsher Singh and Simranjeet Singh.