Dimapur Municipal Council employees call off protest after assurance on salaries and benefits

DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Municipal Council Employees Welfare Union (DMCEWU) on Wednesday called off its protest following assurances from the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) to meet three key demands: clearance of three months’ pending salaries, timely disbursal of employee benefits such as EPF, GSLI, gratuity and other entitlements, and proper deployment of staff in official duties.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the DMC office on Kalibari Road. The development follows the union’s ‘No Pay, No Work’ protest that began on Tuesday over pending salaries and benefits.

The welfare union was represented by its president Vinoto Ayemi, general secretary Lensanaro, vice president Abel Swu, and joint secretary Wolumo Humtsoe.

Announcing the decision to resume work from August 7, the union also appealed to the state government and the Urban Development department to lift the prohibition on tolls and utility fees, which they said were the main source of income for running the council office.

Read related: Unpaid Dimapur Municipal Council employees continue protest despite CEO’s assurances

Union president Ayemi said thagt the DMC chief executive officer and other council leaders had assured that the pending salaries would be cleared by or before August 20. Given the time needed for disbursement, the union has agreed to wait until then.

He said that the council had also assured timely disbursal of other employee benefits and proper deployment of staff, adding, “As per our demands, the CEO has assured to fulfil our three charters of demand, so we will continue with our work.”

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Responding to concerns that some workers might not be satisfied with the assurances, he said, “Others may not be pleased, but we came to a conclusion to agree with the assurance.”

He added that the union represents more than 430 staff members and believes their demands have been addressed. However, if some workers continue to abstain from duties despite the agreement with the union which has been acting as the middleman to negotiate with the DMC, the authorities would decide on further action.

Ayemi said a core committee comprising the DMC chairperson, CEO and 12 councillors has been formed to look into revenue irregularities and work out long-term solutions to the ongoing salary crisis. He expressed hope that staff would not face such issues in future.

DMCEWU general secretary Lensanaro reiterated the union’s stance, citing the financial hardships faced by employees, including sanitation workers struggling to fund their children’s education. She said that the decision to call off the agitation was accepted during an extraordinary meeting with DMC senior staff.