Jammu, December 24, 2025: The State Committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Tuesday organised a mass rally of workers from various sectors in Jammu to press for long-pending demands related to wages, job security and social protection.
The rally, led by MLA and State CITU President M.Y. Tarigami, began at Maharaja Hari Singh Park, passed through Dogra Chowk and Gumat, and culminated at Indira Chowk.
Addressing the gathering, Tarigami expressed serious concern over what he described as the continued neglect of scheme workers and other categories of employees who play a key role in public service delivery. He said workers such as ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers, and mid-day meal workers have been serving for years in health, nutrition, education and social welfare sectors but are still paid meagre honorariums and denied the status of regular workers.
He said their demands for regularisation, higher honorarium, social security benefits including EPF, ESI, pension and maternity benefits, and job security have remained unresolved for years.
Tarigami also raised the issue of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) casual paid workers, alleging that despite clear directions from the Central EPFO Commissioner, Jammu, they continue to be excluded from EPF and ESI coverage. He termed this a violation of statutory provisions and demanded immediate corrective measures.
Highlighting the condition of daily wagers, casual, temporary and contractual workers across various Jammu and Kashmir government departments, Tarigami said thousands have been working for years or even decades but are still paid minimum wages of ₹311 per day without any job security or social protection. He said their demand for regularisation and dignified wages can no longer be ignored.
CITU Working President Om Prakash also addressed the rally and spoke about workers engaged in hydropower projects, four-lane highway construction and power stations of NHPC in Jammu and Kashmir. He said these workers perform the same nature of work as regular employees but are paid lower wages. He demanded wage parity with workers at the Uri-I Power Station, recognition of workers’ unions and freedom for trade union activities without intimidation or victimisation.
The rally also condemned the four new Labour Codes notified by the government, with CITU leaders alleging that the laws are anti-worker and weaken labour rights, collective bargaining and job security.
The CITU leadership said the agitation will continue until concrete steps are taken to address workers’ demands.
