Manipur News

IMPHAL, Dec 3: A two-day ‘Festival of Peace’ and Regional Conference cum Manipur State-wide Revival Crusade under the theme ‘Revive us Again’ being organized by Vision 2020 Asia & Beyond Network inaugurated today at Kuki Baptist Convention (KBC) Centre Church, Langol.

The inaugural function was attended by Dr Jim Starr, Director of VBN; Dr Tom Farrell, World Evangelist and Dr David B Smith, music pastor as guest speakers while former MP Rishang Keishing; MLA Ukhrul Samuel Risom; MLA Paonam Brojen and Parliamentary Secretary (Tribal Affairs & Hills, Information Technology) Victor Keishing attended as guests of honour.

The dignitaries exhorted the gathering to maintain peace amongst others in the State and be a messenger of peace and love in the hills and valley.

Hundreds of people coming from different parts of the State were also present at the occasion.

Certain resolutions regarding strengthening the bond of love, peace and unity amongst the people in the State were adopted.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/festival-of-peace-commences/

IMPHAL, December 3: Locals of Phougakchao Ikhai, Bishnupur led by Torbung Gram Panchayat Pradhan today demanded the concerned authorities to speed up the local Police Station of which construction is already 95 percent complete.

Speaking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club, Torbung Pradhan Sapam Rajen said the opening of the Phougakchao Ikhai Police Station will help in ensuring peace and harmony in the area.

He said instead of opening the Police Station which already has its sanctioned strength of personnel including an Officer in Charge, a police picket has been installed near the station.

Authorities had installed the picket during the recent Inner Line Permit System movement as security measure to control any unwanted tension in the area during the agitation in Churachandpur, he said.

However, instead of controlling the situation, personnel of the police packet has been creating a chaotic situation in the Torbung area where the Meiteis are the minority community, he said.

The Pradhan also said that the police personnel in collusion with some others who wore camouflage uniforms have been harassing civilians without any provocation and that the locals had submitted a memorandum to the local MLA of Kumbi and a copy to the State Home minister yesterday in this regard.

He has further appealed to the concerned authorities to evacuate the police picket at the earliest and to open the police station instead.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/phougakchao-ikhai-residents-demand-speeding-up-police-station-opening/

IMPHAL, December 3: The Manipur Domestic Workers’ Movement Organisation under the National Domestic Workers’ Movement has started a signature campaign demanding the government to pass a legislation ratifying the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189 which will be presented at the Winter Session of the Parliament, co-ordinator of the movement Sr Agues Khala told media persons today.

Speaking at a press conference at the TRI hall, she said domestic work is one of the largest employment sectors for females in the urban area.

Although the demand for domestic workers has only increased over the years, decent working conditions, wages and conditions of employment are still not available to the workers when compared to other class of workers, she asserted.

She continued that domestic work is still to receive recognition from the people as real work.

Many domestic workers are exploited, ill-treated and have to suffer violence as well as overworked, underpaid and unprotected, she claimed.

She said that adoption of the ILO convention 189 will recognized the domestic workers’ dignity, justice and empowerment which have been the three major objective of the National Domestic Workers’ Movement since 1985.

It will give basic labour rights as those available to other workers including reasonable hours of work, weekly day off, social security, occupational safety and health and decent wage etc.

MDWMO demands the government to pass the legislation and ratify ILO convention C 189 in the country, she said.

Stating that around 1500 domestic labour have registered under the MDWMO till today, she said more area in the State will be covered.

Meanwhile, Deputy Labour Commissioner, E Tomba said that the Labour department is going to enact a law for domestic workers.

However, until it is done so, workers should get a contract of employment before starting any work, he said.

The press conference was also attended by many domestic workers who shared their testimonials of the various grievances before the press and the Labour department officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/signature-campaign-demanding-better-recognition-of-domestic-workers-launched/