EMRI Workers’ Union to move Meghalaya Human Rights Commission

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: The president of Meghalaya EMRI Workers’ Union (MEMRIWU) Roipar Kharraswai has informed that the Union will approach the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) seeking their help and intervention over the recent notice issued by GVK EMRI (Emergency Management and Research Institute).

The GVK EMRI notice appealed to the employees -- presently on an indefinite hunger strike -- to resume their duties within seven days failing which, the GVK said it would be recruiting new employees.

There are around 180 employees participating in the protest under the banner of MEMRIWU demanding an increase of salary, and increment among other issues.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Kharraswai said "The action of GVK management in issuing the notice clearly indicates that they don’t respect their employees; and because of this, the Union and its members will continue its agitation.

“Even if it comes to losing our jobs, we will continue to fight for our rights; and we may even approach the court because what GVK has done is bulldozing our rights,” he said.

The Union president also said that there is a need to remove GVK EMRI from the State of Meghalaya; and the State government should come up with its own 'Emergency Cell'.

He also informed that on Saturday evening two more Union members have been shifted to the Shillong Civil Hospital for treatment. “This company does not even respect the State government. When we had recently met Health Minister AL Hek, he assured us that the government would ask the GVK management to be present in a round-table discussion with the employees to resolve this situation on November 5. However, the GVK has come up with this notice,” he said.

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