Govt prohibits strike by GVK EMRI staff

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 1, 2019

SHILLONG: The state government on Tuesday promulgated the Meghalaya Essential Services Maintenance Act prohibiting holding of strikes by the field staff of the GVK emergency management and research institute (EMRI). 

This was as per The Meghalaya Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1980 read with the Meghalaya Essential Services Maintenance (Amendment) Act, 2003. 

In a notification issued here, additional secretary of political department has said, “In the public interest…the government of Meghalaya prohibit strikes by the field staff of the GVK EMRI. The order comes into force with immediate effect and will remain in force for a period of six months.”

This was following the ongoing indefinite strike called by the field staff under  the banner of the Meghalaya Emergency Management and Research Institute Workers’ Union (MEMRIWU), which has affected the emergency services across the state in the past two days. 

The indefinite strike was organized as a mark of protest against the failure of the state government to address their grievances.

The decision was taken after the management authority has allegedly resorted to deducting the field staff’s salary despite direction of the state government to maintain status quo.