Protests in Muzaffarabad: Ad-hoc Employees Demand Job Security
In Muzaffarabad, the Ad-hoc Employees’ Action Committee held a press conference to highlight the PoJK government’s failure to address the regularization of contractual workers. Salik Abbasi, a representative, stated that these employees, numbering around 5,000, have been working for many years without job stability.
Abbasi explained, “These ad-hoc, contractual employees have been working in the region for a long time. Their maximum count may be 5,000, or less if some of them would have been adjusted.” Despite a previous agreement achieved after 17-19 days of protest, no progress has been made in the last 13 days. The committee’s chairman, Colonel Wakar Noor, has not initiated any action, and no files have been moved.
The committee demands that all employees, regardless of their service length, be regularized. Abbasi emphasized, “Someone here has 23 years’ service, some have 16 years of service, someone has eight years, we want if even someone has even one day of service, they should be regularized too.”
Protests have intensified, with employees expressing their frustration through rallies and demonstrations. They seek permanent status and job security, a struggle that has persisted for over two decades, often ignored by local administrations.
Doubts Revealed
Muzaffarabad -: Muzaffarabad is a city in the region of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It is the capital of this region, which is located to the north of India.
Ad-hoc Employees -: Ad-hoc employees are workers who are hired temporarily and do not have permanent job positions. They often lack job security and benefits that permanent employees receive.
Job Security -: Job security means having a stable job without the fear of losing it suddenly. It is important for employees to feel safe and secure in their jobs so they can plan for their future.
PoJK -: PoJK stands for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It is a region that is administered by Pakistan but is claimed by India as part of its territory.
Regularize -: To regularize means to make something official or permanent. In this context, it means giving ad-hoc employees permanent job positions with the benefits and security that come with it.
Salik Abbasi -: Salik Abbasi is a representative of the Ad-hoc Employees’ Action Committee. He is speaking on behalf of the employees who are demanding job security.