Pressure groups demand more local employment in cement cos

SHILLONG: The Jaintia National Union (JNU) and the Meghalaya People’s United Front (MPUF) have alleged that cement factories located in Jaintia Hills have backtracked from their promise to provide 60 per cent of the jobs to locals. Instead only 20 per cent were employed at the factories, the pressure groups alleged.
While addressing reporters here on Monday, MPUF president, D. Laloo said, “Preference should be given to the local youths who have passed out from Polytechnic and IITs… we have also enquired about the number of locals employed with these companies but we are yet to get a response.”
He added that if the companies remain silent on the issue, they will recourse to other steps to intensify their demands.
Laloo also demanded that the companies should decrease the price of cement.
“Even though the cement is produced here, the prices are as high as that in other parts of the country where the cement is exported,” Laloo said.