Cease work stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, July 24 2024: Loktak Development Authority (LDA) employees have launched a cease work strike cum sit-in protest at LDA Office, Ningthoukhong demanding equal benefits as workers in other Government departments.

Speaking by the sideline of the protest, P Shyamkumar, general secretary, LDA Workers' and Employees' Union Manipur shared that for a long time, LDA staff have been demanding pension, retirement benefits, separate rules and regulations and other benefits afforded to other Manipur Government employees.

As their appeals consistently fell on deaf ears, they launched the cease work strike which will continue till July 26 .

If their demands remain unfulfilled then the cease work strike will resume from July 29 and continue indefinitely, he cautioned.

Adding that their demands are valid and lawful, he rued that after retirement an LDA worker receives less than Rs 3000 a month in pension.

He further stressed on the poor economic condition of the workers, who depend on their salary for all their needs.

Hence, after their retirement, they are as good as dead, he said, highlighting their dreary income.

P Shyamkumar also urged the Chief Minister to address their grievances and fulfil their demands.

According to the State Finance Department (Pay Implementation Cell), the Manipur Secretariat, Forest Environment and CC Department Deputy Secretary had directed the LDA governing body to issue a recommendation concerning the pension of LDA workers.

Unfortunately, this has remained unexecuted till date.

During the protest, the workers wielded placards with messages such as "Implement Equal Work for Equal Benefit", "Promote the non technical employees on seniority basis", "Framing of Separate RR for LDA Employees", "Separate RR for LDA Employees" and "Facilities of Retirement Benefit Equal to other Department " .

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