Shillong: Shillong workers are fed up. The Joint Action Committee of the Muster Roll Workers Union issued an ultimatum to the Public Health Engineering Department on Monday. Pay up or face a shutdown.
The union demands three months of back wages for April, May, and June. They also want the implementation of the revised Variable Dearness Allowance. Workers gathered outside the Chief Engineer’s office to protest the missing payments. They found the office empty. The Chief Engineer, the Additional Chief Engineer, and various other engineers cleared out before the crowd arrived.
Protesters dropped a formal memorandum at the office instead. It sets a hard deadline of July 31. JACMRWU adviser Khroo La Pariat said the department had enough time to act since their previous June 9 letter. “We are giving them time until July 31 to respond to our letter and clear all pending wages along with the revised VDA. If the department fails to comply with our demands, all muster roll workers will go on strike from August 3 and will stop attending duties, including the release of water to various households,” Pariat said.
Pariat placed the blame for potential water shortages squarely on the Chief Engineer. He claims the state has the money. Finance Department officials reportedly confirmed that funds are available. The logjam sits with the PHE Department itself. They have failed to apply the updated wage rates notified by the government back in July 2020.
JACMRWU chairperson D. Iakai signed the memorandum detailing the severe financial strain on workers. Families cannot pay rent, medical bills, or school fees. The group also demands the formal adoption of the Meghalaya Regular Casual Workers Scheme of 1996 and new Employees Provident Fund benefits. While other state departments paid their staff, the PHE workers remain empty-handed. The union is now bracing for a fight.
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