JOWAI, July 17: The All Jaiñtia Muster Roll Workers and Labour Union (AJMWLU) has expressed concern over the alleged delay by the state government in releasing the wages of Muster Roll workers as per the Minimum Wages Act.
During a general meeting held at the District Library Auditorium, Mynthong, Jowai, on Thursday, the union highlighted that the arrears, legally due every five years, and the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), which should be revised twice annually on April 1 and October 1, remain pending despite repeated reminders to the state government.
The union noted that it had even staged a protest in the state capital last year to press for the release of these payments but the government has yet to address the issue.
During the meeting, the workers resolved to remind the government to immediately clear the arrears that have been pending since October 1, 2023.
Expressing disappointment, the union stated that the government has failed to issue any notification regarding the biannual VDA increment, which should raise the wages in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act.
Meanwhile, expressing disappointment over the state of affairs, the union president, Khroo L Pariat, said, “If there are no Muster Roll workers, who will take care of cleaning, file movement, water supply and other essential services?”
He then urged the government not to wait until workers take to the streets and to address the workers’ legitimate demands without further delay.
