SHILLONG : Vocational teachers under the Meghalaya Vocational Education Trainers Union (MVETU) on Wednesday staged a placard protest near the IGP office in Shillong, urging the state government to act on their long-pending demand for a new pay structure.
The teachers said they were compelled to hold the protest to remind Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma of his earlier assurance to discuss their demands.
According to the union, the matter has remained pending for the past four months, with the teachers yet to receive any invitation from the government for discussions on the proposed new pay structure.
Speaking to media persons, MVETU leader Aibansuk Suchiang said the teachers had been waiting for four months for the Chief Minister to call them for talks, but no decision or communication had been received so far.
The union recalled that months ago, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had interacted with vocational teachers at a programme at Madan Student Jaiaw.
After the programme, Sangma had stepped out of his vehicle to meet the teachers, who were holding placards highlighting their demands. He had received their memorandum and assured them that they would be called for discussions to address their concerns.
However, the teachers said that despite the assurance, they are still waiting for the promised meeting and a decision on their demand for a revised pay structure.
The latest protest was therefore aimed at once again drawing the government’s attention to the issue and urging the Chief Minister to fulfil the commitment made to the teachers.