The All Jaiñtia Mid-Day Meal Workers Union has strongly denounced the recent statement made by Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla.
Shylla had said that it would not be possible for the state government to enhance the honorarium of mid-day meal cooks from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month, as demanded by the union.
Stating that the minister has hurt the sentiments of the mid-meal workers, the General Secretary of AJMDMWU, Joycifull Lipon, said that the minister should have refrained from making such statements that are outside his portfolio.
Lipon reminded Shylla that most of the mid-day meal workers are women and, as Social Welfare Minister, he is supposed to look after the welfare of women and children.
“The workers who work from 8am to 3pm from Monday to Friday are paid Rs 1,000 per month, excluding January and December, seldom celebrate Christmas and New Year and have to think twice before buying books and for paying the school fees of their children and the price rise of essential commodities has added to their misery,” she said.
