EJCC welcomes high-level committee on employee regularization, calls for immediate wage reforms

Srinagar : The Employees Joint Consultative Committee (EJCC), the largest platform representing employee organizations, has lauded the government’s decision to establish a high-level committee to regularize temporary employees within six months.
The EJCC emphasized that until a final decision is made, the Minimum Wages Guarantee Act should be implemented for all temporary workers. An EJCC spokesperson stated that an important meeting was held at the central office in Srinagar under the leadership of Chairman Aijaz Ahmad Khan. The meeting was attended by presidents of various affiliated employee organizations, where key concerns affecting government employees, particularly temporary workers, were discussed in detail. Welcoming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s announcement in the assembly, Aijaz Ahmad Khan reiterated that the committee must deliver results within the stipulated six months. He stressed that in the meantime, all temporary employees must be covered under the Minimum Wages Guarantee Act. He also highlighted the long-pending issue of the GP Fund, pointing out that despite the Chief Minister’s March 31 deadline for its resolution, many employees are still awaiting relief. Khan urged swift government action to address this concern and called for concrete measures to fulfill employees’ long-standing demands. He further demanded an increase in the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers. He also stressed the need for the implementation of the Old Age Pension Scheme and the restoration of SRO-43 in its original form. Additionally, he called for a comprehensive reorganization of government departments and emphasized the necessity of holding at least two Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings annually to ensure fair and timely promotions. He also demanded that teachers appointed in government schools be provided with proper leave benefits. The EJCC chairman criticized the disparity between employee demands and legislative salary hikes, arguing that while the government moves swiftly to increase the salaries of Members of the Legislative Assembly, the genuine concerns of government employees continue to be sidelined. He insisted that the welfare of government employees, who are the backbone of public service, should be given equal priority. The EJCC has decided to allow the government a one-month period to fulfill their legitimate demands. However, Khan made it clear that while the EJCC does not favor protests, the organization will not hesitate to take to the streets if their rightful demands continue to be ignored. The committee remains hopeful that the government will act swiftly to resolve these pressing issues, ensuring justice for both temporary and permanent employees.