Don’t Ditch Daily Wage Workers

It is a positive sign that the Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmad Rana has taken the necessary initiative to meet the representatives of PHE daily wagers and convince them about the government’s resolve to address their genuine issues in a phased manner. The rightful attitude of the aforesaid minister has led to the resolution of a big issue involving a series of protests by the aforesaid daily wagers, as on the minister’s assurance, they have called off their strike. This development is indeed a relief for both the daily wagers and the general public, who have been facing disruptions in water supply services due to these protests. However, it must be acknowledged that these daily wagers have endured years of hardship and neglect, which has made them sceptical of political promises.
The apprehensions of the daily wagers about the seriousness of the government are also justified because they have faced the brunt of successive dispensations in J&K. All the helmsmen who have ruled the region have time and again assured relief to these hapless working-class people, but to no avail. One by one, every government that has come to power has deceived thousands of daily wagers, leaving them with no other option but to come out on the streets and demand justice. It is really unfortunate and appalling that governments in the past have promised stars and moon but delivered nothing except hollow assurances. The workers have been subjected to financial instability and distress due to the lack of a concrete policy for their regularization and timely payment of wages. Their plight has been ignored despite their indispensable contribution to the public utility sector, which is crucial for the daily lives of the people of J&K.
This time, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has again rekindled their hopes by announcing a committee that will look into the scope of providing justice to these workers. However, after experiencing deceit from previous dispensations, the daily wagers seem to be in doubt over the genuineness of the offer coming to the fore. This scepticism was probably the reason behind their continued strike. It is commendable that the concerned minister has managed to convince and persuade them to end their protest. However, this assurance to the daily wagers brings with it a significant responsibility on the shoulders of the government. The authorities must ensure that this hapless lot is not ditched and deceived again as in the past. Their future is directly dependent on their regularization and the timely disbursement of their hard-earned wages, which in some cases have not been paid for months together.
It is praiseworthy that the government is working towards a fair and sustainable solution to address the problems faced by the daily wagers. However, what is more important is that the helmsmen must transform their words into actions. The government must demonstrate its sincerity by implementing a robust framework that guarantees regularization and ensures financial security for these workers. Empty promises will no longer suffice; concrete measures must be taken to provide these daily wage workers with a life full of dignity and pride. Only then can the government truly claim to have resolved one of the most pressing issues faced by thousands of families dependent on daily wage employment in the Jal Shakti Department.