Call for aid to labourers

Shillong, May 27: The All Meghalaya Contractors and Suppliers Association (AMCSA) has urged the state government to render financial aid to the labourers who are registered under the Meghalaya Building and Others Construction Workers Welfare Board (MBOWC).
In a letter to Additional Chief Secretary in-charge, Labour department, DP Wahlang, AMCSA president, BL Nongbri, said that the government has pulled the plug on most of the construction works owing to the COVID-19 situation.
“Most of the labourers are unable to work to earn their living to support their family and to meet  their daily essential needs. Therefore, we would like to request the government to release the financial assistance to all the registered labourers in the state as soon as possible,” Nongbri said.
He added that as per their understanding, the funds for the beneficiaries (labourers) are available with the department concerned since the contractor, being the principal employer, has already contributed one per cent in the form of labour cess deducted at source from all the construction works carried out by the contractors.