Shillong, Jul 7: The vast majority of trainees undertaking on-the-job training in Pune are satisfied with the arrangements, the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) said today while pouring doubts on the woman who alleged that she was being made to give massages when she had been trained at a beautician.
The woman is one of several who were trained under a government-sponsored skill development programme by the MSSDS and then given on-the-job training in Pune.
According to a release today, the MSSDS stated that it carried out verification after the allegations made by the woman surfaced, using “multiple independent channels”, local police, representatives of a Meghalaya-based NGO, etc but found “no material or testimony” to substantiate the allegations either against the employer of the empanelled training and placement provider (TPP).
Apart from the woman who made the allegations, one two others took the government up on its offer to be repatriated to Meghalaya at the government’s expense. The others wanted to stay on and complete the training in Pune.
According to the state government, the trainees who stayed back also expressed concern that unverified allegations had adversely affected the credibility of their batch and could discourage employers from recruiting youth from Meghalaya. There was more subtle blame put on the complainant, with the press release stating that she had previously been counselled “on routine workplace protocols, including adherence to training discipline.”
The woman had enrolled in the senior beauty and spa therapist course after accepting an offer letter that clearly specified the job role, terms and conditions.
The press release stated that the programme is fully government-sponsored, covering training, travel, accommodation and a monthly stipend of Rs 4,000 during on-the-job training and also all relevant records have been shared with the concerned authorities for independent examination.
The government said that it is conscious that unverified narratives can undermine confidence in skill development programmes, discourage reputed employers from partnering with Meghalaya and ultimately deprive deserving youth and their families of valuable employment opportunities.
The government also stated that the matter remains under examination.
“If any violation by any stakeholder is established through due process, the government will take the strictest action available under law and the applicable contractual framework. The government of Meghalaya remains committed to safe migration, ethical recruitment, transparent placement processes and evidence-based decision-making in the best interests of the youth of the state,” the release added.
