Shillong: Thousands of employees of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) have been deprived of their rightful salaries for an unprecedented 43 months, sparking concern from social activists and raising urgent questions about labour protection in Meghalaya.
Cherian Momin, social activist and adviser to the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), has petitioned the Labour Commissioner of Meghalaya to intervene immediately and ensure redressal. Momin has also formally written to the Office of the Labour Commissioner, Meghalaya, highlighting the prolonged salary crisis and urging urgent action.
“The denial of wages for over three and a half years has crippled families across the Garo Hills region,” Momin said. “Employees who devoted decades of service to the GHADC now face poverty, debt, and the erosion of dignity—all for no fault of their own.”
The crisis, described by Momin as “unprecedented in the history of Meghalaya,” has left families unable to pay school fees, access medical care, or meet basic household needs. Reports indicate that several employees have been forced to take up menial jobs after years of dedicated service, while their children have been compelled to discontinue education. Women employees, in particular, have endured extreme hardships, balancing unpaid duties with the struggle to provide for their families.
Despite sustained agitation by workers, including a 49-day strike, the response from authorities has been piecemeal and inadequate. The Non-Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) of GHADC has repeatedly raised the issue with the State Government, the Executive Committee of GHADC, and even the Governor of Meghalaya, but a comprehensive solution has yet to materialize.
In a recent announcement, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of GHADC acknowledged that ₹24.45 crore had been sanctioned for four months of salary dues. However, Momin emphasised that this falls far short of justice, leaving nearly four years of arrears unresolved. “Partial payments may appear as relief, but they do not address the systemic failure that has left thousands of employees in financial and emotional distress,” he said.
Momin pointed out that explanations offered by the GHADC leadership, including claims that the crisis stems from irregular appointments during previous tenures, do not absolve the administration or the State Government of their legal obligations.
“It is unacceptable that workers should bear the burden of administrative mismanagement, political infighting, or systemic corruption,” he stated.
The prolonged non-payment of salaries constitutes a serious violation of labour laws, including the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, and the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Momin noted that it also contravenes constitutional protections under Articles 21 and 23, amounting to forced labour prohibited by law. “Withholding wages for such a prolonged duration strips employees of their dignity and violates their fundamental right to livelihood,” he said.
Beyond the legal implications, Momin highlighted the humanitarian dimension of the crisis. “Several employees are on the brink of destitution. Families survive on borrowed money at exorbitant interest rates, and elderly and retired employees dependent on pensions live in silent despair,” he said. The situation, he warned, threatens industrial peace in the region and could escalate into broader unrest if left unaddressed.
The activist urged the Labour Commissioner to initiate a high-level inquiry into the reasons for the prolonged delay, hold those responsible accountable, and issue binding directives to GHADC and the State Government to immediately clear the arrears. He further recommended establishing a transparent and sustainable mechanism for salary disbursement, including a dedicated account monitored under labour law compliance, to prevent future crises.
Momin also called for compensation for the extraordinary suffering endured by employees during the 43 months of non-payment. “Timely wages are not a matter of charity or political benevolence; they are a legal and constitutional entitlement. Compensation, along with arrears, would reflect the State’s acknowledgment of the grave violation committed against its workers,” he said.
The petition, submitted on behalf of CoMSO, underscores the statutory role of the Labour Commissioner in safeguarding workers’ rights, resolving disputes, and protecting industrial peace. “No employer, whether public or private, is above labour law,” Momin stated. “Every worker, regardless of the institution they serve, is entitled to fair and timely wages. The credibility of Meghalaya’s governance depends on upholding justice, accountability, and compassion in this matter.”
As the crisis continues, Momin warned that failure to act promptly would have serious social and economic repercussions in the Garo Hills region. “This is not merely a financial problem; it is a collapse of governance that directly undermines workers’ rights and the very purpose of constitutional autonomy,” he said.
The petition has drawn attention to the urgent need for systemic reforms in the administration of autonomous bodies in Meghalaya. By intervening decisively, the Labour Commissioner’s office could not only restore the livelihoods of GHADC employees but also set a precedent for protecting labour rights across the State.
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