Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17:
All Cook's and Helpers Association, ZEO Zone-I has warned the Government that the association will go for cease work strike if their due honorarium for ten months is not cleared by the end of this month.
Talking to media at Manipur Press Club, the members of the association expressed strong dissatisfaction over Government's attitude of ignoring the grievances of the long suffered cooks and helpers.
The members said that they have not been getting their due honorarium since March 2007.As Saturdays and Sundays are excluded for their wages, the cooks and helpers get honorarium for 20 days a month.
Again, as the schools are closed for two months in a year for vacation, government sanctions honorarium for 10 months in a year.
Association members complained that from this meagre amount, they get only nearly 10 days cash in order to get clearance at different levels.
The members added that unlike other states, they had to run pillar to post every time to acquire their wage since the midday meal was incepted in November 2004.One cook is assisted by a helper in all the 235 schools in this zone.
The association also complained about the high highhandedness of school headmasters or headmistresses that they always try to get their share from the cooks and helpers' honorarium as well as from the stuffs meant for the scheme.