Imphal: Manipur government employees entered the sixth day of a statewide strike today. Work stopped across various departments as staff doubled down on their demands. Employees from the Higher Education Department held a sit-in at their Nityapat Chuthek office complex to show their resolve.
The Manipur State Pensioners’ Union, the Manipur Government Services Federation, and the Manipur Secretariat Services Association lead the protest. The action started on July 1. These groups want the State Government to stop delaying talks. Protesters claim they will hold the line until the state acts.
They seek to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. They also want an eight per cent boost to their Dearness Allowance to hit 50 per cent, matching federal worker standards. The unions are calling for the Eighth Pay Commission to rewrite the current pay structure.
Key demands include restoring the Old Pension Scheme and dumping the Unified Pension Scheme. Protesters also want the state to stop re-hiring retirees to open up jobs for new recruits. They demand the state regularize all contractual staff and reinstate Saturday as a holiday.
The protesters stated, "They maintained that the cease-work strike would continue until their demands receive a positive response." Offices across the state remain stalled as the agitation spreads.
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