The misery of the employees of Mawmluh Cherra Cements Ltd (MCCL) persists as they have largely gone without pay for two years now and festive cheer will be lacking in their homes as Christmas and New Year approach.
Besides salaries, the workers are also due arrears, revision and overtime payments since 2013 from their state-owned employer.
MCCL workers were, at first, resolutely opposed to privatisation when the idea was floated last year but seem to have come round to it given the dire financial condition of the company and the state government’s reluctance – or inability – to keep bailing the firm out.
However, there appears to have been little progress made in finding a private partner that will take MCCL on as a joint venture with the government.
Addressing the media today, president of the MCCL employee union, Shanlang Diengdoh, said that salaries for more than 300 workers for a single year would amount to around Rs 20 crore. None of this has been paid since the start of 2020, except for ‘relief’ payments of around 5 per cent of a typical salary.
“We waited for so long for the government to take immediate steps in this matter but now even the expression of interest (EOI) for the joint venture is yet to be floated,” Diengdoh said, adding that every day’s delay is causing more hardship to the workers.
The union has written letters today to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and other senior ministers urging them to take a final call on the cement company.
“We want immediate results and a clear indication from the government because the longer the process takes the more problems the employees will face, whether they are newly employed or about to retire.”
