SMB staff begin 3-day black flag protest

SHILLONG: The Shillong Municipal Employees’ Association (SMEA) on Wednesday began its three-day black flag protest against the adamant attitude of the State Government in addressing their grievances.
Employees of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) were seen wearing black badges during office hours to indicate their discontentment over the negligence of the government in response to their demands.
The employees are protesting against the delay in payment of their arrears as per the revised pay and the late disbursement of salaries to the staff.
The SMB employees are also voicing their protest against non-payment of children’s education allowances, festival allowances and the likes.
“Instead of calling us for talks, the government has ordered the office to forward the names of the members of the association who are wearing black badges during office hours,” general secretary of the SMEA, Paul Marwein said.
Marwein stated that following the failure of Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh to respond to their demands, the SMEA has decided to meet the Chief Minister next week to apprise him of their grievances.
“If the meeting with the CM does not turn out to be successful, we will decide on our future course of action,” Marwein said.