JAMMU, FEBRUARY 25: What began as a digital outreach initiative has evolved into a comprehensive grievance redressal mechanism for workers across Jammu and Kashmir. Shramik Warta, a flagship program led by the Labour Commissioner, J&K, provides a weekly virtual platform for workers to directly raise labour-related issues before senior officials.
Held every Wednesday, the initiative connects Assistant Labour Commissioners (ALCs) from all districts with workers and aggrieved individuals, ensuring quick and transparent resolution of complaints related to unpaid wages, gratuity, compensation, illegal termination, and other service matters.
So far, ₹2,89,05,026 has been recovered from employers towards pending wages, gratuity, compensation, retrenchment benefits, and bonuses, and disbursed to beneficiaries as per rules. Several illegally terminated workers have also been reinstated following departmental intervention. The initiative has been appreciated by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, during the Regional Conference on Labour & Employment in Jaipur.
The 16th edition of Shramik Warta was convened by Labour Commissioner S. Charandeep Singh, who directly interacted with workers and issued on-the-spot directions for grievance resolution.
Recent cases highlight its impact: a Rajouri worker received urgent financial assistance under the BOCW Scheme for his son’s medical treatment; teachers in Srinagar secured release of pending salaries; sanitation workers in Doda received six months’ unpaid wages and ensured PF compliance; and a worker in Kulgam was paid ₹35,600 in pending gratuity.
Reaffirming the Department’s commitment, the Labour Commissioner stated that Shramik Warta has strengthened transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, and will continue to ensure timely redressal of workers’ grievances across the Union Territory.