By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 6: The Mawmluh Cherra Cements Employees’ Union (MCCEU) on Wednesday regretted the government’s failure to release the third instalment of dues to Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited (MCCL) employees.
Speaking to reporters at the Shillong Press Club, MCCEU president Pynskhem Lyngdoh said the union recently held a general meeting to discuss two key issues concerning the MCCL employees.
He said the meeting focused on the pending third instalment, which the union had taken up with the local representatives, urging them to impress upon the government to release the amount at the earliest.
Lyngdoh said the union was disappointed that assurances given earlier have not materialised. He said representatives of the union had met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and urged him to expedite the release of the instalment.
He said the matter remains unresolved despite the Chief Minister’s assurances.
The union, he said, may serve a notice on the government to remind it of its commitments to the employees.
Lyngdoh also urged the government to release the pending wages of contractual workers and trainees. “Although such workers may not be eligible under the scheme, release of their pending dues would provide significant relief,” he said.
According to him, the first two instalments released by the government benefited several employees, with some using the money to become self-reliant by setting up homestays and other small livelihood activities.
He noted that this has been particularly helpful, as Sohra continues to attract a large number of tourists.
Lyngdoh further said the government should extend support to contractual workers and trainees either through welfare schemes or by providing employment opportunities.
He pointed out that some contractual workers have been serving since 2008 and have families to support.
The MCCEU president asked the government to consider its request sympathetically and release the pending instalment and the wages of contractual employees and trainees as soon as possible.
