SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions and Associations unanimously resolved to extend its support to the central trade unions and federations which had called a two-day nationwide general strike on January 8 and 9.
A workers’ rally was held on Wednesday at Additional Secretariat parking lot in support of the protest.
JL Das, the general secretary of the council, told reporters that the national pension scheme should be withdrawn and replaced by the old scheme. He said the Centre should settle the 12-point charter of demands without any further delay.
The council will send a copy of the resolutions to the Prime Minister, home minister and the chief minister.
Some of the 12-point charter of demands is to ensure universal social security cover for all workers,
minimum wage of not less than Rs 18,000 per month with indexation.
The council also demanded the assurance for pension of not less than Rs 6,000 per month for the entire working population, including unorganised sector workers, and to stop disinvestment in central and state public sector undertakings.
Memorandum to CM
The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on the apathy of the state government towards the employees. The AITUC also held a demonstration at Additional Secretariat Parking Lot on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, AITUC assistant secretary Richard Thabah said workers in the state are facing numerous problems and will meet soon before an audience with the chief minister.
“The workers under the banner of AITUC such as muster roll, anganwadi, ASHA, building construction workers’ union have specific problems,” he said.
He recalled that the ASHA attempted an indefinite hunger strike but it was stalled after Sangma assured them to give 50 per cent of their dues before Christmas. They have not received it yet. He added that even the muster rolls employees in different government departments for 7-8 months are without salary. Thabah said regular casual workers have not been implemented till date and blamed the government and officers for its non-implementation.
