Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 9: Employees of the Sericulture Development Department have accused their own department of violating labour laws, as they are being forced to work 12 to 13 hours daily in auctions without weekly off, for over a month. Sources informed Early Times that field staff of Sericulture Department is being forced to work for around 13 hours daily, during ongoing cocoon auction at Udhampur. "Around 30 employees of Sericulture department at different places in district Udhampur were asked to perform their duties during auction without any leave and accommodation facility, though most of them working in auction are non locals", sources said, adding that employees are being forced to work in sub human conditions like slaves. "We are being paid Rs 100, as Travelling Allowance per day, by the Department but each employee has to work for 12-13 hours, and it is difficult to get transport in odd hours", said an employee seeking not to be named.
"Department organizes dry silk cocoon auction market at various places in Jammu division during spring season, but due to poor planning, the field staff has to suffer a lot", he said, adding that you have to be present there during the auction days, even if you not well. "Entire field staff of sericulture department of District Udhmapur was asked to report here, where few people have to work for 12-13 hours, instead of running the auction in shift-system the department calls all employees at one time. Presently, Supervisor, Senior Assistant, Junior Assistant and class-IV employees are performing their duties in auction", he said, adding that bulk deployment of employees in the auction is effecting the work at their original place of posting. |
