Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Apr 15 : Seasonal labourers from the Mechanical Irrigation Division department staged a protest in Awantipora on Monday against the department for withholding their wages for several years.
Scores of Seasonal Labourers told the news agency that they are working for five months in a year only on a meager amount with the department for the last few decades but that too isn’t being released on time.
They said that those who got engaged years after them are getting the salary of a complete year but they have been left out due to unknown reasons.
They further added that despite working 24×7 for five to six months every year, their wages are being withheld due to unknown reasons.
Bilal Ahmad, a labourer said that whenever funds reach to the concerned department for their wages, they are being diverted in other works while no attention is being given towards poor labourers.
He said that it is difficult for them to manage the family affairs as they often get their meager salaries after years.
Muzzafar Ahmad, another labourer, said that despite officially working with the department for just five or six months, they have to take care of the machinery they have been handling for a full year.
Other labourers while criticizing the department for its alleged unjust treatment to the seasonal labourers and their families said that these wages constitute the primary source of income for these families and urged the authorities to address the issue promptly.
They said that they have brought these issues into the notice of concerned authorities several times but to no avail.
They have sought attention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other authorities to look into the matter and issue orders of their continuation and pending wages.
