Staff REPORTER
Itanagar, Mar 13: The Arunachal Pradesh Trade Union Federation (APTUF) and the All Arunachal Pradesh Workers' Union (AAPWU) have served a 12-day ultimatum to the State Government demanding release of pending wages and salaries of casual and contingency employees.
The two organizations have submitted a joint memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu in this regard.
Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club on Friday, APTUF general secretary Kenkar Yomcha expressed concern over a government notification stopping the payment of wages to casual labourers and contingency employees working under various departments on the grounds of excess engagement of workers.
Terming the notification unacceptable, Yomcha said it has affected hundreds of poor and innocent families who depend solely on such wages for their livelihood.
He said there are around 42,000 casual and contingency employees working in different departments across Arunachal Pradesh. While some employees received their wages, payments to many others were stopped after the notification issued on February 6.
“If any appointment or engagement of contingency staff has been made beyond the sanctioned strength by any competent authority, it is not the responsibility of the workers. Therefore, it is not justified to place the financial burden upon the working community,” he said.
The Federation has urged the state government to withdraw the notification and release the pending wages within 12 days.
Yomcha warned that if the government fails to act within the stipulated period, the workers’ community would be compelled to launch democratic protests to seek justice.