“We do not want to take to the streets again; Government must not withhold what is due to muster-roll workers”: Ma Khroo
Shillong, September 7: The All Jaiñtia Muster Roll Workers & Labour Union (AJMRW&LU–CEC) has urged the Meghalaya Government to revise the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) and minimum wages for muster-roll workers, with the revised rates coming into effect from October 1, 2026.
The demand was raised during a meeting with State Labour Commissioner B. Kharshandi, MCS, where the Union requested the Labour Department to issue a notification covering all categories of workers across Meghalaya.
Speaking to the media, Union president Ma Khroo L. Pariat said the Government had, in previous years, often issued notifications on revised wages and VDA only after workers resorted to protests, including black-flag demonstrations and hunger strikes.
“We do not want to take to the streets again. Nor do we want the Government to continue withholding the legitimate dues of muster-roll workers,” Pariat said.
He said the sharp rise in the prices of food and other essential commodities between June and September 2026 had severely affected the livelihoods and purchasing power of muster-roll workers, making it increasingly difficult for them to meet their families’ basic needs.
Representing muster-roll workers employed across various departments of the Meghalaya Government, the Union urged the Labour Department and the State Government to revise minimum wages in line with the prevailing cost of living and economic conditions.
It also called for the notification to be issued without delay to prevent the accumulation of VDA and wage arrears that are legitimately due to workers.
“We hope the Labour Department will issue the VDA notification with effect from October 1, 2026. If the Government fails to take the matter seriously, we will be compelled to take the necessary steps to remind it of our demand,” Pariat warned.
The Union expressed hope that the offices of the Labour Commissioner and the Finance Department would consider its appeal seriously and would not reject what it described as a legitimate demand of muster-roll workers.
Pariat said the Union expected the State Government to resolve the issue without forcing workers to return to the streets to secure their rights.
The Union has submitted a formal representation to the Labour Commissioner, with copies forwarded to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Labour Minister M. Dkhar, Principal Secretary F.R. Kharkongor, IAS, and Commissioner and Secretary of the Finance and Planning Department Dr Vijay Kumar D., IAS, seeking necessary action at the earliest.
