Shillong: The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) of the Meghalaya State Council (MSC) has voiced strong opposition to the state government’s recent revision of minimum wages, deeming the increase insufficient for the needs of workers.
A formal letter of dissatisfaction has been submitted to the Chief Minister, urging a reconsideration of the cabinet’s decision.
AITUC MSC secretary R. Thabah pointed out that during the meeting of the Minimum Wages Advisory Board held on August 6 last year, under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary of the Labour Department, C. Songate, it was agreed that the wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled workers would be raised to Rs 681, Rs 749, Rs 824, and Rs 906 per day, respectively.
Thabah expressed initial satisfaction with the proposed increase, especially given the rising costs of essential commodities in the state.
“We felt that the agreed-upon hikes would at least help us manage in light of inflation. However, to our dismay, the notification issued paints a completely different picture,” Thabah stated.
In the recent cabinet decision, the revised daily wages were significantly lower than expected.
ALSO READ: Meghalaya Governor stresses the importance of state’s matrilineal system at public assembly
Highly skilled workers will now earn Rs 645 per day, a modest increase from Rs 586, while skilled workers will receive Rs 605, up from Rs 530.
The wages for semi-skilled workers have been adjusted to Rs 565, up from Rs 474, and unskilled workers will now earn Rs 525, up from Rs 419 per day.
Earlier, the All Jaintia Muster Roll Workers and Labour Union (AJMRWLU) had warned of a large-scale protest if the government failed to revise the basic floor wage within the agreed timeline, further underscoring the growing dissatisfaction among the state’s labour unions.
