SHILLONG, July 20: The Joint Action Committee of the Muster Roll Workers’ Union (JACMRWU) on Monday gave the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department until July 31 to clear three months’ pending wages, warning that muster roll workers across the state will go on strike from August 3 if their demands are not met.
The ultimatum followed a protest by JACMRWU members outside the office of the PHE Chief Engineer, demanding the release of salaries for April, May, and June, along with the implementation of the revised Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA).
The union leaders had sought a meeting with the Chief Engineer but alleged that he was not present in the office. They also claimed that the Chief Engineer, the Additional Chief Engineer, and other engineers had left the office shortly before the protesters arrived.
Unable to meet with the Chief Engineer, the union submitted a memorandum to his office, setting July 31 as the deadline to clear all outstanding dues.
Speaking to reporters after the protest, JACMRWU adviser Khroo La Pariat said the department had already been given sufficient time to respond to the union’s memorandum submitted on June 9. “We are giving them time until July 31 to respond to our letter and clear all pending wages along with the revised VDA. If the department fails to comply with our demands, all muster roll workers will go on strike from August 3 and will stop attending duties, including the release of water to various households,” he said.
Pariat warned that if water supply is disrupted following the strike, the responsibility should rest with the PHE Chief Engineer.
He maintained that the delay was not due to a shortage of funds, claiming that both the Commissioner and Secretary in charge of the Finance Department and the Commissioner and Secretary in charge of the PHE Department had clarified that adequate funds were available.
According to him, the crisis stems from the PHE Department’s failure to implement the revised VDA, which was notified by the Finance (Economic Affairs) Department through an Office Memorandum dated July 29, 2020.
The revised VDA was introduced to enhance the minimum wages of muster roll workers in line with the rising cost of living. The union alleged that while other government departments engaging muster roll workers have implemented the revised rates and released the arrears, the PHE Department has failed to do so, leading to the present impasse.
In the memorandum submitted to the Chief Engineer, JACMRWU chairperson D. Iakai expressed disappointment over the department’s failure to release wages for April, May, and June despite repeated representations.
The union pointed out that the delay caused particular hardship to Niamtre workers during the recent Behdeinkhlam festival, while the employees in other government departments received both their salaries and VDA arrears.
Besides seeking immediate release of the pending wages, the memorandum also demanded implementation of the Meghalaya Regular Casual Workers Scheme, 1996, extension of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) benefits to PHE muster roll workers, and payment of all outstanding wage arrears before July 31.
The union said the prolonged delay in salary disbursement has caused severe financial hardship, with workers struggling to pay rent, meet medical expenses, provide for their families, and bear education costs despite continuing to discharge their duties.
Warning of “stern action” if the department fails to meet the July 31 deadline, the JACMRWU urged the authorities to treat the matter with utmost urgency and immediately communicate the date for disbursement of the pending wages.
