By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 17: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Meghalaya Muster Roll Workers Union on Tuesday warned it will launch an indefinite hunger strike on April 9 if the state government fails to address long-pending demands.
The decision was announced following a protest rally at the Soso Tham Auditorium, where hundreds of workers gathered to voice their grievances.
JAC Chairman Khroo L Pariat stated that the escalation is a result of the government’s failure to honour a promise made by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to meet with the union in January.
Key issues raised by the JAC include the non-implementation of revised wage rates for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers, as well as chronic wage delays of up to three months. The committee also highlighted the failure to enforce Regular Casual Workers Rules in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) wing and a discrepancy in retirement ages; they allege workers are being forced to retire at 58 despite official orders setting the age at 60.
General secretary Bympher Lyndem described the proposed hunger strike as a last resort. The JAC further pointed to irregular payments in the sericulture, handloom, and weaving sectors, claiming some workers have not received wages since July.
While the committee remains open to dialogue before the April deadline, it warned that it would intensify its agitation if the Personnel and Finance departments continue to ignore official directives regarding worker benefits.
