Meghalaya EMRI workers protest outside GVK office, meets Health Minister
A Reporter
SHILLONG: After calling off the indefinite hunger strike to protest against the management of GVK EMRI on various charters of demands, the Meghalaya EMRI Worker Union (MEMRIWU) on Monday staged a protest outside the office of the GVK while also displaying placards expressing their demand to remove the company from Meghalaya.
After the protest, a delegation consisting members of NGOs, KSU, FKJGP and leaders of the union met with the management of the company. However, the meeting was not fruitful.
Later in the day, the union leaders were invited by Meghalaya Health Minister AL Hek for talks. However, the discussion proved once again unfruitful as the minister was unable to give them any concrete assurance on their demands.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with the minister, Roipar Kharraswai, president of MEMRIWU said, “The minister has not given us any concrete assurance on our demands. Hence we will take this matter up with other members of the union and decide our next course of action.”
He informed that the minister is willing to terminate the contract between the State Government and GVK EMRI. However he stated that the government will not be able to assure them jobs if a new agency or company takes over the emergency service in the State.
“We will continue to fight for our rights despite the unfruitful discussion we have had with the minister today,” he said.
He informed that there are around 205 employees under GVK EMRI and if the government does not take up their issue seriously then their livelihood will be at stake.