Shillong: Meghalaya’s Finance Department is currently reviewing a proposal to hike minimum wages and the Variable Dearness Allowance for all muster roll and daily wage workers. Labour Commissioner B Kharshandi confirmed the move during a Monday meeting with representatives from the All Jaintia Muster Roll Workers Labour Union.
The union wants the new rates to take effect on October 1, 2026. Costs are up. Essential goods have surged in price between June and September, squeezing the wallets of the state's poorest laborers. AJMRWLU assistant secretary W. Rumut sent a letter to the Labour Commissioner requesting a fast track on the notification to dodge payment backlogs.
Rumut warned that workers might hit the streets if the government drags its feet. "The union has demanded that the new wage structure and VDA be implemented from October 1, 2026, across all categories of daily wage workers in the state," she stated. AJMRWLU president Khroo L Pariat hopes the government acts soon.
The union sent copies of their demands to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Labour Commissioner and Secretary Frederick R Kharkongor, and Finance Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar D. The ball is now in the Finance Department's court.
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