SRINAGAR: The daily wage workers of the Public Health Engineering (PHE), now Jal Shakti Department, in Jammu have decided to suspend their ongoing strike for 10 days after receiving assurances from the concerned Minister, Javed Ahmad Rana.
The decision follows successful talks between the workers and the Minister, temporarily resolving the protest that had disrupted water supply in parts of the region.
The PHE daily wagers, demanding the regularisation of their services and the release of pending wages, called off their agitation after a productive dialogue with Minister Rana.
The Minister assured the workers that the government is committed to addressing their genuine concerns in a phased manner, urging them to engage with the recently formed committee tasked with reviewing their demands.
“We are grateful for the Minister’s assurance and his willingness to listen to our grievances,” said a representative of the PHE workers. “We have agreed to suspend our strike for 10 days to allow the government time to act on its promises. We hope this will lead to a permanent solution for our long-standing issues.”
The strike, which began earlier this month, had caused significant disruptions to the water supply in Jammu, prompting widespread concern among residents and heated debates in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had previously appealed to the workers to end their protest and engage with the government panel, a call that was echoed by Minister Rana during the recent negotiations.
The government has reiterated its commitment to resolving the issues faced by daily wagers, with the committee expected to submit its recommendations within the stipulated timeframe. “We urge the workers to maintain faith in the process and cooperate with the committee as we work toward a fair and sustainable outcome,” Minister Rana stated.
This development brings temporary relief to the residents of Jammu, who had faced water shortages due to the strike.
The suspension of the protest for 10 days is seen as a positive step toward dialogue and resolution, with all eyes now on the government’s next moves to address the workers’ demands. (KNO)
