SHILLONG: On the third day of their ongoing peaceful agitation, around 1200 long-standing regular casual workers of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd. participated in a lunch time protest in various parts of Meghalaya, including Shillong, Umiam, Kyrdemkulai, Jowai, Khliehriat, Tura, Phulbari, Ampati, Baghmara, Garobadha, Mendipathar, Nongstoin, Mairang and Mawkyrwat.
The protestors flagged placards outlining their various grievances.
The MeECL Progressive Workers’ Union are protesting against the illegal contract being foisted by the management which they have refused to sign since it blatantly ignores many labour laws regarding working conditions, wages and benefits.
The contract does not have provisions for PF, ESI Health Benefit, Bonus, Gratuity, Earned Leave, Overtime etc., which are mandatory in all employment contracts.
Moreover, MeECL has unilaterally tried to redesignate the posts of the long-standing casual workers to unskilled assistant level. Meter readers would become metering assistants while cleaners would be cleaning assistants etc., while the nature of the their job continues like before.
This is a clearcut attempt to subvert the recent Supreme Court judgment mandating that Equal Pay for Equal Work, irrespective of worker’s status being permanent or casual/ad-hoc, the Union said.
The Union has written petitions to the management bringing to their notice their various grievances. Yet, the management continues to flout legal norms forcing the workers on agitational path, the workers alleged.
