By - Dr. Asangba Tzudir
Salaries delayed, or worse, when govt. employees are unpaid for months, and which is a normalised condition today, but in a society where daily survival hinges on the assurance of monthly salary, the inability to pay salaries for months is not just a financial issue, but a serious crisis of humanity.
Across various departments in the government sector, there are employees employed under different categories. There are countless stories of hardships and struggles of employees unknown to many, yet they continue to work diligently while their rightful salaries or pay remain unpaid for months so that the institution or office where they work do not suffer.
While not delving into the systemic failure, this struggle often goes unnoticed in public discourse, but its impacts are deeply corrosive economically, emotionally, and ethically.
Starting with the financial distress, for many, monthly salaries are not an added bonus but a lifeline that sustain families, pay rent, cover school fees, manage medical bills, and to put food on the table. The non payment of salaries cuts off this lifeline and therefore to make ends meet they are forced to borrow from relatives or money lenders or even taking interest loans, and slowly forcing them into debt and which can be devastating.
Besides financial instability, it takes an immense tool on mental health. In this struggle, children are also made to suffer as their parents struggle to hide the burden. In such a situation, relationships can get strained, and even the most committed to work feels disheartened and will lose motivation besides questioning the very system they serve.
It is indeed ironic that the very individuals who keep the systems running are often made to 'beg" for their due salaries. Teachers continue to shape the next generation; health workers continue to risk their lives; contractual or fixed pay employee's who manage essential services deserve their rightful pay on time.
Considering the pertinence of the issue and the disastrous effect it creates, the Government must treat this issue with utmost urgency and sincerity it demands for there are no excuse that can be accepted in the face of undue hardships and sufferings caused due to unpaid salaries. Let it be reminded that salary is not a privilege but a right and denial of it is unjust and inhuman. Timely intervention is necessary in this matter instead waiting for a situation to be created thereby forcing the government to respond.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir writes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
