Shillong, Sept 15: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power Prestone Tynsong has assured to consider the demand of the casual employees of MeECL for regularisation as per law.
“The matter relating to the demand for regularisation of 1802 casual workers is of great concern to the corporation (MeECL) and the demand has not fallen in deaf ears,” Tynsong said.
He was replying to a zero hour notice tabled by opposition chief whip and Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh in the Assembly.
“However, before considering the demands, the implication that may arise both legally as well as financially must be examined intricately and not commit any inconsistency in the matter and taken into account the financial constraint of the corporation,” he added.
There has been demand for regularisation of casual/contractual employees and payment of pending arrears for the month of October 2018 to February 2019, from the MeECL Progressive Workers Union (MePWU).
Tynsong said that the payment of arrears is considered on a priority basis and added that the erstwhile MeSEB had engaged outsiders on casual basis based on need.
The engagement was for a period of 60 days wth one day break. Renewal of the casual engagement was made from time to time.
With the incorporation of the MeECL from April 1, 2010 these casual workers continued to be engaged and are paid daily wages as per the Minimum Wages Act as followed by the government of Meghalaya and adopted by the corporation.
Currently, there are 1802 casual employees employed in MeECL and its three subsidiaries.
Tynsong said with a view to streamline the engagement of casual workers in the corporatoon and also keeping in mind the welfare of such employees, the MeECL has introduced a contract agreement with a validity period of one year which shall be renewed annually with benefits which include provident fund, subsidy on coverage of MHIS, casual leave, earned leave, maternity leave, payment of overtime.
Tynsong said the proposal was also to enhance the salary and the percentage of enhancement of wages of the employees whose tenure of service is above 5 years but below 10 years is fixed at 5% of the total amount of monthly wages and to those whose tenure of service is above 10 years but below 15 years is fixed at 10% of the total amount of monthly wages.
The MePWU, while opposing the move, had submitted its charter of demands consisting of 10 demands which include regularisation. However, after a deliberation wth the MPWU members, pending consideration of the demand for regularisation, the contractual agreement of 1 year was implemented and the benefits have been extended to all the casual and contractual workers of the MeECL, Tynsong said.
