The Manipur government on Sunday took a tough stand against employees who are on a strike demanding that the 7th Pay Commission recommendations be implemented, IANS reported. Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar said the “no work, no pay” rule will be used against the employees who do not report to duty by Monday.

The strike was called on March 22 by the All Manipur Trade Unions Council and the All Manipur Government Employees Organisation. “We are not saying that the enhanced pay should be given now,” said L Biken, the general secretary of the Joint Administrative Council. “All that we want is that the government should give a written commitment on when the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission will be implemented in Manipur.”

Joykumar, who is also the finance minister, said the state would require an additional Rs 1,400 crore annually to enhance the pay scale of over 85,000 employees and 45,000 pensioners. But it does not have the funds.