From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Dec 8: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has been assured by Health Minister, Wailadmiki Shylla, and Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) Meghalaya, R. Chitturi, that the concerns raised regarding the welfare of long-serving contractual NHM staff will be taken up with priority.
In a meeting with the NHM Mission Director, the JNC delegation, led by its president Hamehi Bamon and general secretary Sambormi Susngi, submitted a memorandum, seeking pay enhancement and regularisation of contractual NHM staff who have served for more than a decade.
The JNC stressed that these workers perform the same duties as permanent employees and should therefore receive equal pay and fair employment benefits.
Chitturi conveyed his agreement with the issues raised and assured the delegation that he would forward the matter to the Centre. He reiterated his support for the principle of equal pay for equal work and appreciated the JNC for its constructive approach.
The JNC also met Shylla to present the same memorandum and reiterate their demands. To this, the minister assured the JNC that steps would be taken to ensure contractual workers receive salaries on par with permanent staff.
Assuring that the government would not neglect employees who have served NHM for many years, he said that if any contractual terms lapse in the interim, the government will explore alternative employment options for them.
