Shillong, Oct 18: MeECL Progressive Workers Union, a registered union of the longstanding casual workers of MeECL, from all around Meghalaya on Wednesday met Power Minister Comingone Ymbon, and apprised him of their demands and the ongoing peaceful protests around the state.

The demands include equal pay for equal work (as mandated by Supreme Court order of 26th October 2016) should be immediately implemented till such time that regularisation is done as due process, all workers entitlements as per existing Labour laws such as Leave, Gratuity/EL, Overtime, Bonus, PF, Employers State Insurance or ESI to ensure health coverage, accident compensation, maternity benefits, creches, protection from Sexual Harassment etc should be accorded to all workers of MeECL.

Workers are currently on minimum wage as per April 2015 labour dept notification even though new rates have been announced and hence all arrears due should be released.

The Union also decided that workers would not sign any illegal contract.

The Union will also meet Labour Minister on October 24 in this regard.

The MPWU delegation was assured by the minister that they he would look into the matter, and he would gather information from the management of MeECL.

However, the union has decided to continue its black flag whch has started since October 11 and lunch time protest meetings across the state till such time that the management has fair and open discussions with MPWU on the various demands.

The Union meanwhile clarified that contrary to what has been reported in some newspapers, the Union has not announced or undertaken any strike action as of now.