The indefinite cease-work strike jointly launched by the Manipur State Pensioners’ Union, the Manipur Government Services Federation and the Manipur Secretariat Services Association entered its sixth day today, with employees of the Higher Education Department and affiliated institutions intensifying their protest by staging a sit-in demonstration at the department’s office complex at Nityapat Chuthek.
The protest is a part of the statewide agitation that commenced on July 1, during which government employees have been pressing the State Government to address a series of long-pending service-related demands affecting serving employees, pensioners and contractual staff.
The employees urged the government to initiate immediate dialogue and take concrete steps to resolve the issues. They maintained that the cease-work strike would continue until their demands receive a positive response.
Among their principal demands is the enhancement of the retirement age of state government employees from the existing 60 years to 62 years. They are also seeking an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) by eight per cent, raising it from the current 42 per cent to 50 per cent, in line with the benefits extended to Central Government employees.
The agitating employees have further demanded the constitution and implementation of the Eighth Pay Commission to revise the pay structure of government employees. They are also calling for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme in place of the Unified Pension Scheme and the withdrawal of the Employment Benefit Scheme introduced as its replacement.
The protesters have additionally sought the revocation of the government’s order withdrawing Saturday as a holiday for government offices. They argued that the decision has adversely affected employees and should be reconsidered.
Another key demand is the immediate cessation of the re-engagement of retired government employees, contending that such appointments limit employment opportunities for eligible candidates awaiting recruitment. The employees are also pressing for the regularisation of contractual and ad hoc employees serving in various government departments, stating that many have continued in service for years without job security or regular service benefits.
The cease-work strike has affected the functioning of several government offices across the state, with employees from different departments extending support to the agitation through demonstrations and other forms of protest.
