Northeast Desk, July 21, 2024: In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Meghalaya has mandated the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) to provide equal pay for over 1,300 casual and contractual workers, ensuring they receive the same remuneration as their permanent counterparts. The judgment, delivered by Justice Wanlura Diengdoh on July 15, aims to rectify long-standing pay disparities for workers such as cleaners, peons, meter readers, and linemen.
This historic decision follows a petition from the MeECL Progressive Workers Union (MPWU), which has been advocating for fair treatment and benefits for its members since its establishment in 2017. The court has given MeECL two months to implement the new pay structure, starting from the receipt of the certified copy of the judgment.
On Friday, MPWU President Mantiphrang Lyngdoh Kiri handed over the certified copy to Sanjay Goyal, the PA to MeECL’s CMD, expressing gratitude for the court’s decision. Kiri emphasized the ruling’s significance, noting it ensures long-awaited salary parity and benefits for casual workers.
Describing the decision as a major milestone, Kiri highlighted previous successes secured by MPWU, including earned leave, casual leave, overtime pay, incremental wage increases, and the introduction of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), largely due to the efforts of social activist Angela Rangad.
Despite financial challenges cited by MeECL management for not regularizing workers, improvements in the corporation’s financial health have been noted. Power Minister AT Mondal reported a reduction in revenue losses from 25% to 9%. However, many employees with decades of service are still awaiting regularization and EPF benefits.
Angela Rangad, who assisted in filing the petition, hailed the ruling as a pivotal victory for casual workers and a beacon of hope for other labor groups in Meghalaya. She criticized the state’s spending priorities, arguing that neglecting workforce welfare undermines growth and productivity. Rangad called for the government to realign its focus on workforce well-being to ensure sustainable development.
This ruling represents a significant step towards equity and justice for casual workers, setting a precedent for similar labor rights efforts across the region.