Tourism Department’s delay hampers casual workers’ wages, regularization

Srinagar, Nov 21, KNT: Casual workers employed by the Kashmir Tourism Department are frustrated due to the department’s delay in submitting their details to higher authorities, stalling both wage disbursements and the regularization process.
In a statement, the casual workers said that the Finance Department had instructed all government departments to submit details and outstanding dues of non-permanent employees. However, the Kashmir Tourism Department’s failure to forward the necessary information has caused significant setbacks.
Kaiser Ahmed, President Tourism Casual Workers’ Union, said that the delay in wage payments is directly linked to the department’s inaction. “Until this information is provided, both wages and the regularization process cannot proceed,” he added.
Despite registering 344 casual workers on the Finance Department’s NIC portal, the delay has withheld wages for 340 workers. Only 4 workers are being given wages who credentials are doubtful.
The workers said that despite a court order directing wage disbursement, the Tourism Department has yet to comply, unlike the Jammu Tourism Department. The casual workers appealed to the Chief Minister to personally intervene and expedite the resolution of their wage and regularization issues. [KNT]