The Kashmir Dialogues
Bijbehara, June 20 – Casual labourers employed by the Wildlife Department staged a protest in Bijbehara on Thursday, demanding wages commensurate with those of their counterparts in other departments.
Speaking to Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the labourers expressed frustration over their meagre earnings despite working tirelessly day and night. They highlighted receiving only a nominal amount, often around Eid, which pales in comparison to the Rs 9,000 monthly wage received by casual labourers in other departments.
“We play a crucial role in managing man-animal conflicts and perform various duties, yet we are not compensated fairly and endure lengthy delays in salary payments,” they lamented. “How can we sustain ourselves and our families on such meagre earnings?”
The protesters urged the government to either align their wages with those of other casual labourers or disengage them from service. They emphasized the importance of fair compensation, especially considering their long years of service to the department.
Bilal Ahmad, a veteran labourer, highlighted the financial strain faced by many families dependent on irregular and insufficient wages. He called for urgent intervention from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other authorities to resolve their grievances.
Currently on strike, the labourers vowed to continue their protest until their demands for equitable wages are met across Kashmir.
Source KNO
Sheikh Mudasir
