Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Centre
Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Centre (JKTUC)
The moment the central government announced the 6th pay commission recommendations for the central government employees in March 2009 w.e.f. 1-Jan-2006 the J&K state government employees regrouped and projected the demand before the government to the effect that the government employees of J&K state should also be given the same scales of pay, perks and effect of revision of pay scales on the same pattern as have been granted by the central government to its employees. Previously there were two joint action committees headed by Abdul Qayoom Wani and Khurshid Alam in the J&K state besides, J&K trade union centre an affiliate of NTUI.
Since the government did not made it clear as to whether the employees in the state would be granted the same benefits as projected by them. Therefore, the program for struggle was chalked out. J&K trade union centre and its all affiliates together with main union of electrical employees of J&K state comprising on over 5000 employees headed by Rafiq Ahmed Khanyari and hospital employyes union comprising on over 2000 employees united together and formed employees joint action committee headed by Khurshid Ahmed Kutty. In a one day convention of the joint action committee Shri Khurshid Ahmed Kutty was elected as state president while as Rafiq Ahmed Khanyari was elected as general secetary. Three vice presidents Mr. Girdhari lal Chanda from Jammu, Nisar Ali Mir and Mohammad Shafi Khan from Kashmir were also elected.
A massive struggle plan was launched two days strike was observed on 10th and 11th February. A big rally of employees was held at Bemina, Srinagar and a procession to lal chowk was organised on 11th February 2009 Shri Mohammad Shafi Khan, Rafiq Ahmed Khanyari,Khurshid Ahmed Kutty and Nisar Ali Mir lead the procession which culminated in the lal chowk Srinagar where other hundreds of employees joined and raised slogans. The administration did not pay any attention with the result the joint action committee had no alternative but to resort to further program of strike from work for a period of three days from 16th to 18th February 2009. The program was a successful and the strike was observed throughout the state by the employees and workers. This time the employees joint action committee organised massive demonstration on 18th February. The processions were lead by Mr. Mohammad Shafi Khan and Khurshid Ahmed Kutty from Sheri Kashmir Park to Lal Chowk and another procession lead by Nisar Ali Mir and Rafiq Ahmed Khanyari from Bemina, Srinagar electrical complex to lal chowk. Both the processions joined in the press club where many leaders delivered speeches in respect of the employee’s demands.
On 3rd March 2009, the state Government announced recommendations of the 6th pay commission w.e.f 1-7-2009 instead of 1-1-2006 following an agreement reached between the two other joint action committees and the government. we did not become part of the agreement because we had already smelled rat. Soon after the agreement was released through the press most of the demands put forth by the employees had no mention in the agreement.
The demand that retirement age should be raised to 60, HRA should be paid at the rate of 20% instead of the 15% mentioned in the agreement. Arrears of the salary w.e.f 1-1-2006. Regularization of daily wagers. Pay scales for Rehber-e-Ziraat employees etc. were altogether missing in the statement given by the finance minister. Number of opposition members in the legislative assembly opposed the move of the government and walked out from the house.
The employees joint action committee of which the J&K trade union centre affiliate of NTUI has now chalked out a program with other factions of the joint action committees to hold demonstration on 22nd July and strike the work for one day on 23rd July 2009. Massive demonstrations, rallies would be held on these days.