Employees' ceasework strike to continue
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, April 29 2010:
The first round of talks between the state government and the striking government employees was held today at the Old Secretariat here.
However, the meeting failed to arrive at any agreement.
The next round of talks would be held very soon after Chief Minister O Ibobi returns from the Capital.
Buoyed by today's talks, N Biren, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs expressed his optimism saying that a breakthrough over the ongoing impasse would be achieved soon.
Meanwhile, speaking to media-persons, Ch Chandramani, Secretary of Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of All Manipur Trade Unions' Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees' Organization (AMGEO) informed that the government had requested the employees' representatives to suspend their strike for some time.
However, the request was turned down as there was no condition, stated Chandramani.
He added that they would continue with the cease-work agitation until their demand is met.
The first round of talk between the Ministerial team (cabinet, sub committee) led by Th.Devendra, revenue minister, N.Biren, sports and youth affairs (YAS) minister Ph.
Parijat, health minister and 25 representatives of the striking employees which lasted for about two and half hours discussed the matters in connection with their demand for the implementation of the Central Sixth Pay Commission in totality along with the arrears counting from January 1, 2006 .
The meeting was also attended by L.Pururaj, general secretary of Manipur Secretariat Association (MSSA) and the two representatives of the Joint Administration Council (JAC) of All Manipur Trade Union Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees Organization (AMGEO) Manihar and Tikendrajit who were arrested from their houses recently.
Speaking to media persons, L.Pururaj informed that the ministerial team had taken note of the demands of the employees and the matter would be discussed with the chief minister, O.Ibobi Singh.
The chief minister is crrently in New Delhi.
Informing that the arrested employees would be released Friday, L.Pururaj stated that they would be released following the request made by them.
He also informed that they have appealed to the government to stop runing after the employees who are undergoing cease work strike.
While stating that the JAC had requested the government to release the arrested employees, he also stated that Th.Debendra had informed that they were arrested under the directive of magistrate.
Therefore, the release of the arrested employees would take time, added Ch.
Chandramani.
On the other hand, employees of different departments such as department of transport, assembly secretariat, electricity department, public work department (PWD), physical health education department (PHED), forest department staged protest demonstration at transport department complex, Imphal Thursday to intensify the cease work strike of JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO.