10-Day Strike Pause: PHE Workers Await Government Action

Public Health Engineering daily wagers have paused their strike for 10 days after an appeal from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and discussions with PHE Minister Javed Rana. They are demanding regularisation, wage payments, increases, and retirement compensations. The government's response and actions will be closely monitored.

Public Health Engineering (PHE) daily wagers have decided to defer their strike for 10 days following an appeal by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and considering the upcoming Eid and Navratri festivals.

The decision came after Chief Minister Abdullah's plea during an Assembly session, where he highlighted the inconvenience caused by the strike and urged protestors to raise their concerns with the established panel. The PHE Employees United Front, led by Ravi Hans, agreed to this temporary pause but warned of resuming protests if demands are unmet by April 7.

Javed Rana, the PHE Minister, met with protestors and agreed to address one of their primary demands: the release of pending wages in a phased manner. The workers also seek regularisation, increased minimum wages, and compensations for retirees. With a temporary resolution, the public remains in anticipation of effective governmental action to prevent further disruptions.

(With inputs from agencies.)