Ranchi, Sep 22 (IANS): Nearly 3,000 daily wage and contract labourers went on a strike in Jharkhand from Tuesday, demanding preference in filling up around 600 posts in the state electricity board, an official said.

The Jharkhand electricity board had published an advertisement for recruitment of people to 597 posts following which the Jharkhand Power Technical Labour Association (JPTLA) demanded preference should be given to people working as daily wage workers or skilled contract labourers.

"The vacancies do not mention giving preference to daily wage workers and contract workers which is a violation of the agreement reached with the board in the past. The board had earlier agreed to give preference if a regular appointment was to be made" JPTLA president Ajay Rai told IANS.

He said: "To protest the move, 3,000 daily wage and contract workers went on a strike from Tuesday".

"People are working for last 15 to 20 years with the hope of getting a regular job," he said.

The strike may lead to further deterioration in the electricity supply in the state capital, which is already witnessing 10 to 14 hours of daily power cuts.