Internet ban leaves many on brink of losing jobs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 21 2023: Even as the ban on internet services has affected all kinds of online transactions, some remote workers have lost their jobs and many more are on the brink of losing their position.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Moirangthem Sudhakar, spokesperson of All Manipur Remote Working Professionals, said the ban on internet has affected all and extending it further will have devastating impact on the professionals working from home and many businesses that depend on the internet.

While the remote workers understand the present situation and the reason for the Government banning internet services, the remote workers and businesses that solely depend on internet services should be given some relief, said Sudhakar.

There are apprehensions that restoring internet services may cause fresh tensions with many sharing and posting unwanted and provocative hate comments on the present situation on social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp etc.

However, there are other ways the Government can achieve the same result without resorting to banning all of the internet services, he said.

Firstly, the Govt may provide the professionals working remotely dedicated internet lease connections or static IP internet connections.

As a second option, without banning all the internet services, the Government may temporarily ban all the social media sites and the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may block public VPN (Virtual Private Network) to curb backdoor/proxy usage of the sites, Sudhakar opined.

Alternatively, the Government may arrange a building/facility having access to internet service for the remote workers to come and work until the ban is lifted, he added.

Sudhakar reiterated that the remote working professionals understand the prevailing situation in the State and they stand in solidarity with the people displaced by the violent conflict that erupted on May 3 .

Thousands of people have been displaced by the violent conflict and they are staying in relief camps opened across the State.

The remote working professionals also understand that the State Government and all civil society organisations are working tirelessly to bring the situation under control, he said, thanking all concerned for their efforts to bring peace and restore normalcy in the State.

While stating that the priority at present is to provide relief to the people affected by the conflict and rehabilitate them, Sudhakar reiterated and stressed that further extension of the internet ban may severely affect the remote workers and businesses that depend on internet service.

The remote workers are working for different organisations and companies in India and abroad.

While they have informed their employees of the present situation in the State, their salaries have been cut significantly.

Their services may be terminated if there is prolonged internet ban, Sudhakar said.

He also informed that the remote workers have submitted a memorandum regarding their grievances to the Chief Secretary and Commissioner Home on May 19 .

Comment