RMSA teachers 1aunch ceasework protest demanding payment of salary
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 02 2018: Graduate teachers of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) under Education (S), launched a cease work strike from today demanding the payment of their 7 months pending salaries before Ningol Chakkouba.

A large number of RMSA graduate teachers posted at various districts of the State gathered in front of Education (S) office at Lamphel today and staged a sit in at the vehicle shed of the Directorate demanding payment of their pending salary.

According to the teachers, they were appointed as graduate teachers after various recruitment tests conducted by the Directorate since 2011.Alleging that they have not received their salary in a consistent manner ever since, the teachers explained that they get their salary only twice or thrice in a year which leads to great inconveniences for the teachers.

They further claimed that apart from the salary issue, the Government has not done anything to improve the promotion opportunities for the RMSA graduate teachers.

Condemning the apparent lack of interest, the graduate teachers conveyed that they launched the cease work strike to demand the State Government to pay their pending 7 months salary before Ningol Chakkouba.

They informed that the Government has failed to pay their salary since April this year and added that until and unless the Government takes up necessary steps to ensure proper and consistent salary for the teachers, they will stop going to their respective schools and instead they will gather in front of the Directorate to stage sit ins till the school hour is finished.

The teachers taking part in the sit in protest which was organised by RMSA Graduate Teachers Association, carried placards containing slogans like 'Release salaries before Ningol Chakkouba', Same work, same service status', 'No pay, no food', 'Teachers are also human beings', 'Same status for all teachers', 'Arrange for the regularisation of salaries' and 'Immediately release 7 months pending salaries' etc.

The protesting teachers added that the issue was brought to the notice of Chief Minister N Biren Singh during the Meeyamgi Numit programme of October 25 and a memorandum was submitted as well.

However, no positive actions have been taken up for the welfare of the teachers till date, they lamented.

The teachers also met the Director of Education (S), Th Kirankumar today, regarding their demand.

During the meeting, the Director assured them that the State Government is working to pay off the pending salaries but reasoned that it was highly unlikely for the Government to be able to do so before Ningol Chakkouba.

On the other hand, RMSA Graduate Teachers Association adopted various resolutions which included an indefinite ceasework strike from today as well as to pressure the authorities concerned to pay the pending salaries and to stage sit ins at the Directorate from 10 am to 3 pm on all working days.

The association also resolved to demand regularisation of the teachers' salary, promotion opportunities as well as to absorb the current RMSA teachers to the empty posts of graduate teachers as a Government policy to improve the service conditions of the teachers.

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