Shillong, May 15: The All Garo Hills Muster Roll Workers’ Union has urged the government to implement the revision of minimum wages for the muster roll workers in the state.

The annual conference of the union, held yesterday at Tura, was also attended by the All Garo Hills Anganwadi Workers Association.

Chief adviser to the two organisations Rakkan M. Sangma today said the meeting decided to put forward some proposals to the State Minimum Wages Advisory Board for early revision of wages meant for the poor muster roll workers.

“The union will decide the next course of action if the government fails to meet their longstanding demands latest by June,” he said.

Under the muster roll category, Rs 100 is the daily wage for unskilled labour, Rs 120 for semi-skilled labour, Rs 140 for skilled labour and Rs 150 for highly skilled labour. There are almost 5,000 muster roll workers in the entire Garo hills.

The joint meeting also decided to ask the government for travel allowance, dearness allowance and other facilities for the Anganwadi workers of Garo hills.

The secretary of Anganwadi workers association, Elphida N. Sangma, said the workers in Garo hills faced hardships because of low wages and lack of other facilities.

The number of Anganwadi workers in Garo hills is around 1,300 and they get Rs 1,500 per month as honorarium.

The casual labourers association of Nehu, Tura campus, also attended the meeting.

Sangma said with meagre wages, both the muster roll and Anganwadi workers were not able to sustain themselves, considering the rise in price of essential goods.

The workers also wanted pension and gratuities to be introduced as they had to depend on minimal wages despite heavy work schedules.

Earlier, the muster roll workers had asked the government to provide raincoats, gumboots and torch lights as they worked under diverse climatic conditions in Garo hills, besides handling hazardous machines. They are also forced to work on national and state holidays.