Seen here are members of the Aggrieved Medical Employees Union during their protest against nonpayment of salary. The union kicked off its second phase of agitation by locking the CMO’s office in Wokha on June 24.
Writes to Chief Secretary to expedite process for retention of service
DIMAPUR, JUNE 24 (MExN): The Aggrieved Medical Employees Union, under the establishment of Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Wokha resumed its second phase of agitation on June 24 by locking the CMO’s office. According to a press note, the Union has been left with no other option but to launch for an indefinite strike, as the government has not taken any positive steps to address the grievances of affected members despite the Chief Secretary’s assurance on January 24 that the government would settle the issue within one month.
The Union in a press note issued by its President Thungjanbeni Lotha and Secretary Lumdemo Lotha stated that in expression of its resentment, it would continue with the locking of the office of CMO. “If the Union does not receive firm and positive response from the government within few days, it shall intensify its agitation by closing down all medical establishments in the district including the Dr. Motsuo Memorial district hospital and other sub centers in the district,” the press note informed.
According to the note, the AMEUW was formed by some 70 odd employees under the establishment of CMO Wokha, as they were put under de facto suspension by withholding their salaries since May 2012 without any valid reasons.
It was claimed that all the affected members have completed more than five years of regular service, and some had already completed more than 20 years of service. “The sudden move by the department to withhold their salary for more than one year has caused immense difficulty to the members, as they are the sole breadwinner in the family”, it stated.
The union said that it would not yield to any verbal assurance from the government but continue with the indefinite agitation till the government resolves the issue once and for all. “Upon the failure of the government to heed to our democratic protest, the Union shall take extreme measures for which the government shall be held solely responsible”, it added.
Meanwhile, the Union has also written to the Chief Secretary making a request to expedite the process for retention of service. It also reminded the latter that the Union had suspended its earlier agitation on the assurance given by the government on January 24, 2013 and also as per the assurance of the District Administration and Kyong Hoho.
