Jammu: Daily wage employees of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department staged a strong protest in Jammu on Tuesday against what they described as anti-worker administrative measures, including a controversial directive requiring staff to register attendance through a mobile phone application.
The demonstration took place outside the office of the Chief Engineer, PHE, where workers from multiple divisions of Jammu Urban gathered under the banner of the PHE United Front. The protest highlighted growing tension between daily rated employees and the administration over new digital monitoring systems linked to attendance and salary disbursement.
According to Beyond Time News, a large number of workers from four divisions of the PHE department participated in the protest, raising slogans against the administration and demanding immediate withdrawal of the order.
Growing Opposition to Digital Attendance System
At the centre of the dispute is an official directive requiring daily wage employees to upload their personal details on a mobile application for attendance tracking. The order also warns that salaries may be withheld if workers fail to comply with the registration process.
Protesters argued that the policy places an unnecessary burden on field workers who are already engaged in physically demanding duties, often in remote or water supply installation sites where mobile connectivity and device access may be limited.
Workers expressed concern that forcing employees to use third-party or unfamiliar applications could expose sensitive personal data to security risks.
Workers Demand Biometric Attendance Instead of Mobile App Tracking
During the protest, employees demanded that the administration install biometric attendance systems at water pumping stations, field offices, and other workplaces instead of relying on mobile-based solutions.
They maintained that biometric machines would offer a more transparent, reliable, and secure method of attendance marking, particularly for workers deployed in physically intensive roles across different locations in Jammu Urban.
The protesters termed the mobile app directive “anti-worker” and “insensitive,” arguing that it fails to consider the ground realities of daily wage staff working in the PHE department.
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Leadership Criticizes Administration’s Approach
Speaking to the media, PHE United Front leader Ravi Hans strongly criticized the move, alleging that the administration had previously attempted to register daily wagers through a private non-governmental organization, a move that was later withdrawn following backlash.
He said the current directive was another attempt to enforce what he called an “unreliable and unsafe system” under the guise of digital reform.
According to Beyond Time News, Hans stated that workers were being asked to share personal and sensitive information through unknown or unverified applications despite repeated public advisories cautioning against such practices.
Other union leaders, including Rajinder Singh Taj and Hoshiar Singh, also addressed the gathering and reiterated their concerns over employee data privacy, job security, and administrative transparency.
Concerns Over Salary Withholding and Job Security
One of the major points of contention is the clause in the order indicating that salaries of non-registered employees could be withheld. Workers described this condition as coercive, arguing that it effectively forces compliance without addressing concerns over data protection or accessibility.
Union representatives warned that such measures could deepen dissatisfaction among daily wage employees and further strain relations between workers and the department.
They emphasized that many employees are not technologically equipped or do not have consistent access to smartphones required for app-based attendance systems.
Possibility of Escalation and Indefinite Strike Warning
The PHE United Front issued a strong warning to the administration, stating that if the controversial order is not withdrawn immediately, employees from all four PHE divisions of Jammu Urban may be compelled to launch an indefinite strike.
Such a move, if implemented, could potentially disrupt water supply-related operations and maintenance work across the region, as daily wage workers form a significant part of the operational workforce in the Public Health Engineering department.
Union leaders urged the authorities to initiate dialogue with worker representatives and resolve the matter through consultation rather than enforcement of unilateral policies.
Background: Digital Attendance in Government Departments
In recent years, several government departments across different regions have experimented with digital attendance systems, including mobile applications and biometric verification tools, as part of broader efforts to improve transparency and reduce absenteeism.
However, implementation in field-based departments has often faced resistance, particularly where workers operate in remote or infrastructure-limited environments. Concerns typically include data privacy, technological accessibility, and fairness in enforcement.
In Jammu, similar disputes have emerged in the past over registration drives and third-party digital monitoring systems, often leading to negotiations between employee unions and administrative authorities.
Administrative Silence on Protest Demands
As of the latest reports, the PHE department administration has not issued a detailed response to the protest or addressed the specific concerns raised by the United Front.
Workers, meanwhile, have indicated that they expect a formal review of the policy and immediate suspension of the mobile app-based attendance requirement until proper safeguards and consultations are established.
Conclusion
The protest in Jammu reflects ongoing tensions between administrative digitization efforts and ground-level workforce realities in public service departments. While authorities aim to modernize attendance and improve accountability, daily wage workers argue that such reforms must account for accessibility, privacy, and operational practicality.
With the threat of an indefinite strike looming, the situation remains sensitive, and further developments will depend on whether dialogue between the administration and workers leads to a compromise.
FAQs
1. Why are PHE daily wage workers protesting in Jammu?
They are protesting against a directive requiring attendance through a mobile application and concerns over data privacy and salary withholding.
2. What do workers demand instead of mobile app attendance?
They are demanding biometric attendance machines at workplaces like pumping stations and field offices.
3. What action has been threatened by the workers?
The PHE United Front has warned of an indefinite strike if the order is not withdrawn.
4. What is the main concern about the mobile app system?
Workers fear misuse of personal data, lack of accessibility, and unfair enforcement of attendance rules.
5. Has the administration responded to the protest?
As of now, no detailed official response has been issued.
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