Welfare Board office sealed as labourers launch stir
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 11 2025: Peeved with the delay in the disbursement of welfare benefits, irate construction workers locked down the office of Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board at Takyelpat, Imphal West, on Friday.

The protest, led by members of the Valley and Hill Labour Union Group, began around 11:30 am.

Holding placards inscribed with slogans such as "Release the pending amount of the 2022 education benefit", "Allow making of new cards", "Allow renewal of card holders under pending list" and "Provide death, maternity and medical benefits at the earliest", the workers staged demonstration in front of the Board's office before forcibly closing it down.

Speaking to reporters during the protest, Union general secretary Th Sakhi informed that workers have been repeatedly urging the authorities to release the medical and educational benefits due since 2022 .

She contended that although the government had instructed the Board to take necessary action before the imposition of President's Rule, no steps have been taken so far, prompting the workers to submit a formal reminder.

She also recalled that even after the imposition of President's Rule in the state, a seven-point memorandum was submitted to the Governor, highlighting key demands such as the release of pending medical, education, maternity, and death benefits, payment of overdue pensions, and permission for renewal of workers' cards.

"The memorandum had requested that these demands be fulfilled by July 10," she said.

However, with no action taken by the deadline, the workers were compelled to stage the protest and lock down the Welfare Board office.

She warned that if the authorities continue to ignore their demands despite the agitation, the workers are prepared to intensify the protest.

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