From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: Taken aback by the step motherly attitude toward Khasi labourers toiling on a contractual basis for the past many years, the labourers who have been on strike from their service since March 8, issued a one month deadline to the department of National Bureau of Plants Genetic Resource, Regional Station Umiam to pressurize the demand for appointing the labourers as Temporary Status of Labour (TLS) denial of which will see the office under lock and key.
There are 19 such labourers who have been working under the department for over past 20 years i.e from the year of 1986-87 on a daily payment Rs. 140. The labourers have made the demand to appoint them as TLS several times and also demanded to increase their wages but nothing came up till date.
Left without any option the labourers sought the help of the Confederation of Ri Bhoi People (CORP), following which the CORP, Eastern Zone led by its president Bandari Ryntathiang along with his members accompanied by the labourers led by one Marius Lyngdoh Nonglait met the Principal Scientist cum In-Charge of the National Bureau of Plants Genetic Resource, Regional Station AK Mishra at his office chamber this afternoon.
“The labourers had approached their In-Charge over their present problem and concern for upgrading them to the post of TLS as they deserved the same, but all their request that they had been made through proper channel went in waste as several times their officer keep on giving mere promises of fulfilling their demands”, Lyngdoh said.