Sanity workers protest against IIOJK regime’s anti-people policies
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, growing resentment against anti-people policies spilled onto the streets as sanitation workers of Municipal Committee Handwara staged a peaceful protest demanding regularisation of services and a salary hike.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protesting sweepers said they have been keeping the town clean for several decades on meagre wages without job security or benefits given to regular employees.
“We have been working tirelessly for decades to keep the town clean but our services are not being regularised. We deserve justice and job security,” said protester Bashir Ahmad.
Another protester, Farooq Ahmad, said the Rs 9,300 monthly salary was “in no way sufficient” amid soaring prices. “Prices of essential commodities have increased manifold. It has become extremely difficult to meet household expenses,” he said.
The workers said sanitation staff perform essential public service under harsh conditions and must be treated with dignity and fairness, not left at the mercy of contract-based exploitation.
