Editor,
We are writing to bring to your attention the numerous hardships and problems faced by the electrician shift duty contractual employees of the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL). We are dedicated individuals, who work tirelessly to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the citizens, struggling to survive on the minimum wages set by the government.
The electrician shift duty contractual employees of MePDCL face immense challenges in their daily lives. As an essential service provider we are constantly under public pressure to resolve electrical issues promptly, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. This puts a significant strain on our mental and physical health, and we are often required to work long hours and at night shifts without adequate rest and alone when all the citizens are sleeping peacefully.
Moreover, we are treated poorly and are often subjected to disrespectful behavior from the public. We are struggling to maintain healthy relationships with our families, friends, and society due to our demanding shift duties. The irregular working hours and lack of a fixed routine make it difficult to participate in social activities or spend quality time with our loved ones. We are struggling with sleep disorders and difficulty in maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
Our health is at a risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders. Irregular eating patterns have disrupted our metabolism, and increased stress levels leading to depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, disrupting the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Our sleep-wake cycle and lifestyle have disrupted social and family life due to the mismatch in working hours with family and friends, feeling isolated, relationship strain, and difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
On the other hand, we go through the fear of job insecurity and anxiety about future employment. Our age crossing the bar to get employment in other departments, our hopes all goes in vain. Nor do we have time to prepare for appearing in other examinations or to engage in other side hustles, all in all hindering career growth opportunities. Neither are we entitled to the same benefits and securities as permanent employees, such as health insurance, retirement benefits, nor paid leave or access to training and development programs or promotional opportunities that are typically available to permanent employees. We are also engaged in unequal treatment compared to permanent employees, like unequal workload and undervalued. Our temporary nature of employment makes it challenging for us to plan our finances effectively. The lack of stability and uncertainty about future employment make it difficult to make long-term financial commitments.
We have dedicated and sacrificed several years of our lives to serve the community. Working tirelessly, often handling substations alone, even during adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain and extreme cold or heat. We attend to line faults, monitor energy readings, and ensure the smooth functioning of the electrical infrastructure, all while facing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Despite our dedication and hard work, the electrician shift duty contractual employees of MePDCL are deprived of rightful night shift and overtime payments. Lastly, from last one decade the vacancies for electrician, Engineering subordinate post has never been permanently recruited into the department. Why is this post never recruited? Whereas there are other employees in the department where permanent employees are not even attending an office for more than six months without any official notices and still can receive a hefty amount of salary. Some can even send delegates to work in his place and some are just dummy workers to represent the workforce numbers. Yet they draw a hefty amount of salary. We are trapped in the modern day slavery of contractual work. There is so much to say but we do not want to disclose everything. Please stop this massive unethical work culture. We are struggling to make our ends meet and provide for our families on meager wages.
It is disheartening to witness the plight of shift duty contractual employees who are essential to the smooth functioning of our power distribution system being denied. Our physical and mental health is deteriorating due to the demanding nature of our work and the lack of support from the authorities makes it even worse.
We urge the concerned authorities to address the grievances of the contractual shift duty employees and take immediate steps to improve their working conditions. It is crucial that we receive fair compensation for our overtime and night shift duties, as well as festival allowances to alleviate our financial burdens. Additionally, measures should be taken to ensure our safety and well-being while working in substations, especially for contractual workers employed in substations.
We kindly request you to highlight the hardships faced by the electrician shift duty contractual employees of MePDCL in your esteemed newspaper. By shedding light on our struggles, your esteemed daily newspaper can raise awareness and encourage the authorities to take prompt action to improve our working conditions.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We believe that through collective efforts, we can bring about positive change and ensure a better future for our hard work.
Electrician Employees’ Association
Tura, West Garo Hills
