Tarigami concerned over neglect of Scheme workers’ demands

Jammu, Dec 24: Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) J&K unit president and CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami Wednesday criticised four Labour Codes recently notified by the Government of India, by describing them as “anti-worker and pro-corporate in character.”

He was addressing a mass rally of workers of different sectors organised by the state committee of CITU. The rally, which marched from Maharaja Hari Singh Park, culminated at Indira Chowk after passing through Dogra Chowk and Gumat. While addressing the workers, Tarigami expressed serious concern over the “continued neglect of the genuine and long-pending demands of lakhs of scheme workers and other categories of workers who formed the backbone of public service delivery but continued to be subjected to exploitation and insecurity.”

With regard to labour codes, he said, “These codes aim to dismantle hard-won labour rights, weaken collective bargaining, promote hire-and-fire policies, and deny workers basic protections.”

“This is part of a multi-pronged attack by the central government on the rights and entitlements of working people, alongside the passage of anti-people legislations such as the Shanti Bill, G RAM G Bill, and floated the Draft Seed bill & Electricity Amendment Bill, and other policies that adversely affect workers, farmers, and common citizens,” he stated.

Regarding Scheme workers including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers, and mid-day meal workers, CPI)M) MLA said that despite working for years, they were paid a meagre honorarium, denied the status of workers, and excluded from basic labour and social security protections.

“Their long-standing demands for regularisation, substantial revision of honorarium or incentives, coverage under social security schemes such as EPF, ESI, pension, maternity benefits, and job security remain unaddressed,” he said.

Tarigami also said that BRO casual paid workers were being paid only minimum wages and had been deliberately excluded from EPF and ESI coverage, despite clear directions issued by the Central EPFO Commissioner, Jammu. Om Prakash working president also expressed serious concern regarding the workers engaged in different projects.