Ranchi: MNREGA workers of Jharkhand, who are unhappy with the hike of Rs 5, have returned the hike in separate envelops to PM Modi. Under the banner of Grameen Swaraj Mazdoor Sangh, these workers held a protest shouting the slogan ‘paanch rupaiye mein kaise aayenge achhe din’. Even though the minimum daily wage is Rs 212 per day, even after the hike their pay is accounting to only Rs 167.
Enclosing the money with a letter, the workers affiliated to the Gram Swaraj Mazdoor Sangh “expressed concern” at the “meagre” hike as they felt that the central government was facing “paucity of funds”, otherwise the wages would have definitely increased in tune with Jharkhand’s minimum daily wage which is Rs 212. But we are fortunate that increase in 17 other states was less than five rupees. It appears that the labourers in Odisha have become prosperous as their wages have not been increased. Pondering over all these factors, we, the MGNREGA workers, in union, have decided to return to you the five-rupee hike with the hope that you may make happy companies, friends and employees,” the letter said.