Unions Reject 7th Pay Commission Approval, Threaten To Go On Strike

The Confederation of Central Government Employees said the pay hike approved by the Cabinet on the 7th Central Pay Commission’s recommendations is “not acceptable”.

RSS affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and other trade unions also rejected the hike, saying this is the lowest increase in the past 17 years that would increase disparity between the minimum and maximum pay.

Central trade unions have also sided with government employees and have given a call to hold nationwide demonstrations against the pay hike.

“In the prevailing economic conditions, the proposed hike as per the Pay Commission is inadequate. It is not acceptable to us,” M Duraipandian, General Secretary, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, Tamil Nadu, said.

He added the Confederation will be forced to advance the indefinite strike call to July 4 instead of July 11, if the government does not heed to its demand of revising the hike.

Earlier in the day, its members staged a demonstration at Rajaji Bhavan in Chennai, home to several state government’s offices.

All India Trade Union Congress Secretary D L Sachdev said: “It is the lowest increase in last 17 years. Central trade unions will support the strike call given by central government employees.”

While, BMS said it will organise country-wide protests on July 8 against the decision, adding the government has “disappointed” the employees and it may lead to industrial unrest.

“The formula should be 3.42 instead of 2.57 as approved by the government. Similarly the annual increment should be 5 per cent instead of 3 per cent given. The disparity between the minimum and maximum pay has also been increased,” BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadhyay said.

In a statement, he said the Sangh will organise protests across the country in all districts on July 8 and will discuss on the alternative of going on a strike at its national executive in August.

BMS also demanded for a uniform minimum pay of Rs 18,000 per month to all the workers including the private sector.

Highlights Of 7th Pay Commission Recommendations Cleared By Cabinet

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on pay and pensionary benefits. It will come into effect from 01.01.2016.

“7th Pay Commission has an annual burden of Rs. one lakh two thousand crore, apart from which the arrears burden will likely increase by 12 thousand crore,” said Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

In the past, the employees had to wait for 19 months for the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations at the time of 5th Pay Commission, and for 32 months at the time of implementation of 6th Pay Commission. However, this time, 7th CPC recommendations are being implemented within 6 months from the due date.

The Cabinet has also decided that arrears of pay and pensionary benefits will be paid during the current financial year (2016-17) itself, unlike in the past when parts of arrears were paid in the next financial year.

The recommendations will benefit over 1 crore employees. This includes over 47 lakh central government employees and 53 lakh pensioners, of which 14 lakh employees and 18 lakh pensioners are from the defence forces.

Highlights:

1. The present system of Pay Bands and Grade Pay has been dispensed with and a new Pay Matrix as recommended by the Commission has been approved. The status of the employee, hitherto determined by grade pay, will now be determined by the level in the Pay Matrix. Separate Pay Matrices have been drawn up for Civilians, Defence Personnel and for Military Nursing Service. The principle and rationale behind these matrices are the same.

2. All existing levels have been subsumed in the new structure; no new levels have been introduced nor has any level been dispensed with. Index of Rationalisation has been approved for arriving at minimum pay in each Level of the Pay Matrix depending upon the increasing role, responsibility and accountability at each step in the hierarchy.

3. The minimum pay has been increased from Rs. 7000 to 18000 p.m. Starting salary of a newly recruited employee at lowest level will now be Rs. 18000 whereas for a freshly recruited Class I officer, it will be Rs. 56100. This reflects a compression ratio of 1:3.12 signifying that pay of a Class I officer on direct recruitment will be three times the pay of an entrant at lowest level.

4. For the purpose of revision of pay and pension, a fitment factor of 2.57 will be applied across all Levels in the Pay Matrices. After taking into account the DA at prevailing rate, the salary/pension of all government employees/pensioners will be raised by at least 14.29 % as on 01.01.2016.

5. Rate of increment has been retained at 3 %. This will benefit the employees in future on account of higher basic pay as the annual increments that they earn in future will be 2.57 times than at present.

6. The Cabinet approved further improvements in the Defence Pay Matrix by enhancing Index of Rationalisation for Level 13A (Brigadier) and providing for additional stages in Level 12A (Lieutenant Colonel), 13 (Colonel) and 13A (Brigadier) in order to bring parity with Combined Armed Police Forces (CAPF) counterparts at the maximum of the respective Levels.

7. Some other decisions impacting the employees including Defence & Combined Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel include :

· Gratuity ceiling enhanced from Rs. 10 to 20 lakh. The ceiling on gratuity will increase by 25 % whenever DA rises by 50 %.
· A common regime for payment of Ex-gratia lump sum compensation for civil and defence forces personnel payable to Next of Kin with the existing rates enhanced from Rs. 10-20 lakh to 25-45 lakh for different categories.
· Rates of Military Service Pay revised from Rs. 1000, 2000, 4200 & 6000 to 3600, 5200, 10800 & 15500 respectively for various categories of Defence Forces personnel.
· Terminal gratuity equivalent of 10.5 months of reckonable emoluments for Short Service Commissioned Officers who will be allowed to exit Armed Forces any time between 7 and 10 years of service.
· Hospital Leave, Special Disability Leave and Sick Leave subsumed into a composite new Leave named ‘Work Related Illness and Injury Leave’ (WRIIL). Full pay and allowances will be granted to all employees during the entire period of hospitalization on account of WRIIL.

8. The Cabinet also approved the recommendation of the Commission to enhance the ceiling of House Building Advance from Rs. 7.50 lakh to 25 lakh. In order to ensure that no hardship is caused to employees, four interest free advances namely Advances for Medical Treatment, TA on tour/transfer, TA for family of deceased employees and LTC have been retained. All other interest free advances have been abolished.

9. The Cabinet also decided not to accept the steep hike in monthly contribution towards Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) recommended by the Commission. The existing rates of monthly contribution will continue. This will increase the take home salary of employees at lower levels by Rs. 1470. However, considering the need for social security of employees, the Cabinet has asked Ministry of Finance to work out a customized group insurance scheme for Central Government Employees with low premium and high risk cover.

10. The general recommendations of the Commission on pension and related benefits have been approved by the Cabinet. Both the options recommended by the Commission as regards pension revision have been accepted subject to feasibility of their implementation. Revision of pension using the second option based on fitment factor of 2.57 shall be implemented immediately. A Committee is being constituted to address the implementation issues anticipated in the first formulation. The first formulation may be made applicable if its implementation is found feasible after examination by proposed Committee which is to submit its Report within 4 months.

11. The Commission examined a total of 196 existing Allowances and, by way of rationalization, recommended abolition of 51 Allowances and subsuming of 37 Allowances. Given the significant changes in the existing provisions for Allowances which may have wide ranging implications, the Cabinet decided to constitute a Committee headed by Finance Secretary for further examination of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances. The Committee will complete its work in a time bound manner and submit its reports within a period of 4 months. Till a final decision, all existing Allowances will continue to be paid at the existing rates.

12. The Cabinet also decided to constitute two separate Committees (i) to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of National Pension System (NPS) and (ii) to look into anomalies likely to arise out of implementation of the Commission’s Report.

13. Apart from the pay, pension and other recommendations approved by the Cabinet, it was decided that the concerned Ministries may examine the issues that are administrative in nature, individual post/ cadre specific and issues in which the Commission has not been able to arrive at a consensus.

14. As estimated by the 7th CPC, the additional financial impact on account of implementation of all its recommendations in 2016-17 will be Rs. 1,02,100 crore. There will be an additional implication of Rs. 12,133 crore on account of payments of arrears of pay and pension for two months of 2015-16.

Demand of minimum wage of Rs 26000/- & fitment formula of 3.71

The formal announcement by the of the 7th CPC acceptance is likely to be made by the Government just before the 11th July strike by the CG employees indicating the actual minimum wage and fitment formula.

Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers Karnataka State

Comrades,

The empowered committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary had discussion from past five months on the charter of demands raised by the staff side, The finance ministry is working out the financial implications arising out of the improved recommendations of the 7th CPC especially on the minimum wage and fitment formula being improved, granting two increment on promotion and having annual increment on 1st Jan and 1st July instead of just on 1st July. This will benefit a lot of persons on promotion. The other aspect is considering grant of advances, which the 7th CPC has recommended for abolition.

The formal announcement by the of the 7th CPC acceptance is likely to be made by the Government just before the 11th July strike by the CG employees indicating the actual minimum wage and fitment formula.

The cabinet Secretary will present the view of the empowered committee of Secretaries before the Union Cabinet meeting based upon the principle adopted in actual calculation of the minimum wage and fitment formula. The 7th CPC had adopted the Dr Aykroyd formula minimum wage is calculated on the basis of the 15th ILC norms. But erred in many aspects for example the average of prices of last 12 months was taken, The housing weight age , education weight age etc . The prices of essential items are rising from past many years, even in last six months the retail inflation is rising above 5.4%.

Secondly the prices quoted by the GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT LABOUR BUREAU CLEREMONV, SHIMLAHttp://Labourbureaunew.Gov.In/ , the Director of Economic & statics , Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi & the retail market prices are varying .

If we calculate the minimum wage based upon the LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT LABOUR BUREAU taking prices as on 1st July 2015 the minimum wage works out to Rs 21,000 / and fitment formula works to 3.00. This will result in 34% wage hike without allowances.

If we calculate the minimum wage based upon the Director of Economic & statics , Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi taking prices as on 1st July 2015 the minimum wage works out to Rs 23,000 / and fitment formula works to 3.30. This will result in 50% wage hike without allowances.

If we calculate the minimum wage based upon the retail market taking prices as on 1st July 2015 the minimum wage works out to Rs 28,000 / and fitment formula works to 4.00. This will result in 70% wage hike without allowances.

The most important demand is that of the CG employees is the minimum wage and fitment formula.

The Staff side had demand of minimum wage of Rs 26000/- & fitment formula of 3.71. Against this the 7th CPC had recommended minimum wage of Rs 18000/- & fitment formula of 2.57. The 7th CPC recommendations has provided only at 14% wage hike at Group “C” level it is only ranging from Rs 2240/- to Rs 3500/- increase per month, and at Group “B” level ranging from Rs 4000/- to Rs 6500/- increase per month. After deductions & income tax the net increase will be just from Rs 500/- to Rs 3000/- only.

This increase is lowest by any pay commission, hence vast changes are required as the prices of essential commodities have gone up and also the inflation rate has gone up.

Comrades it is the time to struggle, we should educate the members and prepare for struggle, so that we should get at least 50 % wage hike without allowances, as allowances are not taken into pension benefit.

Only struggle will get us benefit. Please don’t believe on rumours. Now it is now or never.

Comradely yours

(P.S.Prasad)

General Secretary

Cabinet Unlikely To See 7th Pay Commission Award This Month

 The 7th Pay Commission award’s proposals on the new pay scale are unlikely to be placed before cabinet meeting this month as there were still indecision regarding pay raising for the central government employees and officers:

After taking final decision, the Empowered Committee will submit its updated report to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely.

Well-placed sources told The Sen Times that the Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, which is processing the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission and which ruled on central government employees’ pay hike fate did not get as far as determining whether it appropriate to hike 30 per cent basic pay. They added that the secretaries Committee wanted to see more data from Implementation Cell, so the pay scale for central government employees had not yet been completed.

“There are still complications regarding the new pay scale proposals; the Empowered Committee of Secretaries did not take a final decision of 30 percent basic pay hike during its meeting on June 13. They want to move to two other meetings to make final decision for overcoming the difficulties to fix new pay and allowances, after which it will be sent for cabinet nod,” a Finance Ministry official involved with the process told The Sen Times on condition of anonymity.

Sources at the implementation cell, however, said the already-prepared proposals were now awaiting directives from high-ups to be placed before the cabinet.

Media report said government is about to take a final call this week, as the Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary met the PMO officials in this respect.

According to the media, the Empowered Committee of Secretaries have recommended 30 per cent hike in salaries of central government employees and the fitment factor is likely to be raised to around 2.7, up from 2.57 as recommended by the 7th Pay Commission.

As it stands, the 7th Pay Commission had recommended a minimum monthly basic salary of Rs 18,000 and maximum of Rs 2,50,000. A 30% hike would take the minimum basic monthly pay to Rs 23,500 and the maximum to Rs 3,25,000.

The media report said, that the starting salary of the central government employees is expected to be around Rs 24,000, up from Rs 18,000,

But a Finance Ministry official said the cabinet is not likely to take up the proposal of 7th Pay Commission award this month to hike the pay and allowances for the central government employees. Finance Ministry official made it clear that the final decision of 7th Pay Commission award will be taken by the Empowered Committee after its another two meetings with inputs of the Implementation Cell.

After taking final decision, the Empowered Committee will submit its updated report to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely.

The Cabinet meetings later this month is understood to approve the proposal of Empowered Committee of Secretaries which is to be placed by Jaitley.

The 7th Pay Commission, headed by Justice A K Mathur, had originally proposed hike of 14.27 in basic pay, 23.55% in salary, allowances and pensions. The hike in allowances was recommended 63% while pension was proposed to rise 24% for about 48 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners with retrospective effect from January this year.

The government formed a 13- member secretary-level Empowered Committee in January to review the pay panel’s recommendations and an Implementation Cell has also been created in the Finance Ministry which works as the Secretariat of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries.

Secretaries group submits final report to Fin Min; Cabinet approval in 15 days

 It’s good news for central government employees eagerly waiting for the implementation of 7th Pay Commission.

The implementation of 7th Pay Commission appears to be a matter of a few days now. As per Dainik Jagran report, the Cabinet Secretary met the PMO officials on Wednesday and apprised them about the secretaries panel’s recommendations on the salary and allowances hike recommended for central government employees.

The secretaries panel reviewing the 7th pay commission’s recommendations have submitted its report to the Finance Ministry. The Finance Ministry will prepare a note and present it before the Cabinet in the next 15 days.

With the threat of strike by central government employees looming large, the Cabinet is expected to take a prompt decision on the recommendations resulting in notification.

The salary hikes recommended are expected to apply from July.

Empowered Committee Meeting was not held as scheduled

“The meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday, June 14”, said V.P. Mishra, President, Indian Public Service Employment Federation

New Delhi: The meeting of the Empowered Group of Secretaries reviewing the 7th Pay Commission, to finalize the payout to the central government employees did not take place as scheduled earlier on Saturday.

The office of the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the meeting did not take place on Saturday. It did not reveal either when would the secretaries panel meet again to give the final shape to the salaries of central government employees.

“The meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday, June 14”, said V.P. Mishra, President, Indian Public Service Employment Federation. “When we met the Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha on June 3, he told us that we would be meeting on June 14”, added Mishra confirming that the 7th Pay Commission report is said to be finalised soon.

The AK Mathur led 7th pay panel report, which was released in November, had raised the minimum pay of central government employees to Rs 18,000 per month from currently drawn Rs 7,000, while the maximum pay recommended was Rs 2.5 lakh per month from Rs 90,000.

The employees unions decried the wage revisions suggested by the Commission as the “the lowest in the post independent history of the country”, and said a “meager rise of 14% alone was recommended by the Commission to be effective for a long period of ten years.”

The Empowered Committee of Secretaries, which was set up in January to review the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations, is expected to meet on Tuesday and is expected to finally decide how the monthly package of central government employees will shape up.

“We have give our recommendations, and the Cabinet Secretary told us that we are looking into these”, added Mishra.

“It (Empowered Committee of Secretaries) is a divided house, but good number of people agree that what we are saying has a point”, said KKN Kutty, President, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers.

The Confederation is demanding the minimum salary of Rs 26,000 per month. ” The Staff side had computed the minimum wage as on 1.1.2014 at Rs. 26,000, The rates were taken on the basis of the actual retail prices in the market as on 1.1.2014 (average prices of 8 Cities in the country) substantiated by the documentary evidence of Cash bill obtained from the concerned vendors. As on 1.12016, the minimum wage work out to Rs. 29339, rounded off to Rs. 30,000″, said the Confederation in its Charter of demand.

It has done everything possible to get the maximum payout under 7th Pay Commission. The Confederation has decided to go on strike from July 11, if its charter of demand are not met by the government, and has already given the strike notice to the Cabinet Secretary.

There are nearly 47 lakh employees and over 50 lakh pensioners in India on central government payrolls currently.

The Empowered Committee of Secretaries was set up in January has and involved all the stake holders involved–central government unions, departments, ministries and all other – and will complete deliberations in todays meeting and decide the final monthly payout.

Source : Zee News

National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) seeks PM’s intervention for release of 7th Pay Panel report

 National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) President Subash Shastri sought the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for early release of Seventh Pay Commission report for Central Government employees and requested him to ask the Empowered Committee of Secretaries (COS) headed by Cabinet Secretary P.K Sinha to early finalise the review of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for cabinet nod.


Shastri expressed concern over the slow processing in respect of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations adding that the effect to the recommendation should have been given by January 2016 itself, but the long delay is intriguing.


An Empowered Committee of Secretaries, headed by Cabinet Secretary P.K Sinha, has been set up on 27th January, to process for implementation the report of the Seventh Pay Commission, he added.


Shastri however hailed the significant recommendation of Seventh Pay Commission’s report favored introduction of a health insurance scheme for central government employees and pensioners and doubling the gratuity ceiling to Rs 20 lakh and demanded implement the same recommendation in favor of State Government employees and pension.

Empowered Committee Expected to Submit Report by This Week End

Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha is all set to meet on coming Saturday (June 11) to give final shape to the changes on 7th Pay Commission recommendation.

This will give the much needed boost to lakhs of government employees who are anxiously waiting for the implementation of the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission.

The secretaries group is expected to meet on June 11 to finally wrap up its report on the remuneration of government employees.

Reliable Sources further state that it will take only a few days afterwards by the finance ministry to implement the higher pay package for central government employees.

Reliable sources add, the secretaries group has recommended between Rs 2,70,000 and Rs 21,000 hike for the higher and the lower level. This is twenty thousand more in the upper limit prescribed by the 7th CPC and three thousand more in the lower level set by the commission.

It may be recalled that the government had set up a high-powered panel headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha to process the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission which will have bearing on the remuneration of 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners.

Strike Notice by NFIR Unions - 7th CPC

FIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055
Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) 
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

NO.II/95/Pt.VIII

Dated: 05/06/2016

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Brother,

Sub: Service of Strike Notice by NFIR Unions on the GMs of Zonal Railways/ Production Units-reg.

Please refer NFIR’s communication of even number dated 31st May, 2016 to the Affiliated Unions (already sent through mail). Also refer NFIR’s message of even number dated 04/06/2016.

In the NJCA meeting held on 3rd June 2016, after taking stock of the situation particularly in the context of Government’s failure to hold formal meetings and discuss on Charter of Demands for reaching a negotiated settlement, it has been decided that the JCM Constituent organizations shall serve Strike Notice on the respective employers/authorities on 9th June, 2016 . duly organizing massive rallies/demonstrations and proceed ahead for total mobilization of Central Government Employees / workers for Strike Action from 11 th July, 2016.

In this connection, NFIR has already sent to the affiliates, the proforma of Strike Notice together with Charter of Demands to facilitate the Affiliated Unions to serve Strike Notice on the respective GMs etc on 9th June, 2016. It was also conveyed that copy of Strike Notice should also be sent to different authorities as indicated in NFIR’s letter of even number dated 31st May, 2016 through e-mail and also through speed post.

The affiliates ofNFIR should mobilize Railway employees in a massive scale on 9th June, 2016 in the course of serving the Strike Notice. Media Conferences should also be held and the Charter of Demands vis-a-vis Government’s non-responsive attitude be highlighted for wider coverage.

The 11 Point Charter of Demands finalized by NJCA again on 3rd June, 2016 is enclosed. In addition, NFIR’s demands are also listed in the enclosure as part ‘B’ of the Charter of Demands.

The NJCA in its meeting held on 3rd June, 2016 has also decided as follows.

• The Constituents will plan and execute a massive mobilization campaign to cover each and every employee/worker in which all the National and State leaders must take part.

• The Unions / Federations /Associations will suspend immediately all ongoing negotiations with their departmental heads/authorities ‘1,ndconcentrate on the mobilization campaign.

• On 24th June, 2016, a massive united demonstration under the auspices of the NJCA will be held before the Parliament. The constituent organizations will decide upon the quota for each State Unit and communicate the same so that the State Units can take necessary steps to ensure that their members reach New Delhi on 24th June, 2016 and participate in the demonstration.

• The NJCA (CHQ) will write to the leaders of all the Political parties as also the Central Trade Unions seeking their support and solidarity as also explaining as to why the NJCA had to take the extreme step of organizing the strike action.

• All the constituent organizations and the State Units shall write such letters to the Members of Parliament of their respective States and shall make efforts to meet them in person to seek their support.

• All the State Units of the Constituent organizations either jointly or independently organize Press Conferences for coverage by Print and Electronic Media.

• The NJCA (CHQ) will hold such a Press Conference at Delhi on 23rd June, 2016 i.e. just one day prior to the mammoth demonstration planned before the Parliament.

• The Constituent organizations will get in touch with the Associations/Federations of the retired personnel both at the All India and State levels to seek their support for the strike action and enlist their participation in all demonstrative programmes organized by the working employees in support of Strike. The Pensioners Organizations may be informed of the Government decision to reject the recommendations of the 7th CPC to provide option no. 1 to the Pensioners as an alternative pension fitment formula.

• The constituents will also seek the participation of those organizations in their respective organizations/departments who are not associated with the NJCA being non-participants in the JCM Scheme.

NFIR therefore appeals to all its affiliates to make all out efforts to enlist the support of employees of all categories for their total and successful participation in the Strike Action. It needs to be realized that the historic decision for launching Strike Action by all Central Government Employees is an opportunity for every employee/worker to demonstrate united strength of working class and emerge victorious inspite of Government’s onslaughts. We should get ready to face any challenge and establish that our united struggle has not only brought laurels but also become an unforgettable event, inspiring future generations of work force.

NFIR also appeals to its affiliates to take necessary initiatives as indicated above promptly in order to see that message goes all over that the united struggle of rail workforce is creating greater impact for the eventual success.

Yours fraternally,
sd/-
(Dr M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

STRIKE NOTICE

FORM L

(See rule 71 of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947)

Form of Notice of Strike to be given by [Union/Workmen] in Public Utility service
[Names of five elected representatives of workmen]

Dated the 9th June of 2016

To,
The General Manager,
……………
………….

Dear Sir,

In accordance with the provrsions contained in Sub-section (1) of Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, I/We ……….. hereby give you notice that I propose to call a strike I we propose to go on strike, on any day from 11th July 2016 at 6 A.M. for the reasons explained in the Annexure. (Charter of Demands).

Yours faithfully,

General Secretary

[Five representatives of the workmen duly elected at a meeting held on ……. (date), vide resolution attached]

ANNEXURE

Statement of the Case.

Copy to:
(1) Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central)……….. (Here enter office address of the Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central) in the local area concerned)

(2) Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) …………, Zone.

(3) Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Shram Shakti Bhavan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi (Email Id: ppmitra@nic.in)

Charter of Demands

Part ‘A’

1. Settle the issues raised by the NJCA on the recommendations of the th CPC sent to Cabinet Secretary vide letter dated 10th” December 2015.

2. Remove the injustice done in the assignment of pay scales to technical/safety categories etc., in Railways & Defence, different categories in other Central Government establishments by the th CPC.

3. Scrap the PFRDA Act and NPS and grant Pension/Family Pension to all CG employees under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 & Railways Pension Rules, 1993.

4. i) No privatization/outsourcing/contractorisation of governmental functions
ii)Treat GDS as Civil Servants and extend proportional benefit on pension and allowances to the GDS.

5. No FDI in Railways & Defence; No corporatization of Defence Production Units and Postal Department.

6. Fill up all vacant posts in the government departments, lift the ban on creation of posts; Regularize the casual/contract workers.

7. Remove ceiling on compassionate ground appointments.

8. Extend, the benefit of Bonus Act, 1965 amendment on enhancement of payment ceiling to the adhoc Bonus/PLB of Central Government employees with the effect from the Financial year 2014-15.

9. Ensure five promotions in the service career of an employee .

10. Do not amend Labour Laws in the name of Labour reforms which will take away the existing benefits to the workers.

11. Revive JCM functioning at all levels.

Charter of Demands

Part ‘B’

1. Improve minimum wage of Rs.18000/- and correspondingly improve multiplier factor for pay fixation. Reject all retrograde recommendations of VII CPC.

2. Scrap New Pension Scheme (NPS) and restore old pension scheme to be made applicable to those railway employees employed on & after 1.1.2004.

3. Settle NFIR’s Charter of Demands submitted to the Government and Ministry of Railways on 24.12.2013, 28.01.2014, 03.07.2014, 07.07.2014,11.09.2015 & 10.12.2015 which include removal of anomalies of VI CPC, implementation agreements reached for merger of Technicians, grant up-gradation of Apex Group ‘C’ posts to Group ‘B’ Gazetted, replacement of Pay Band & GP of various categories, removal of salary calculation ceiling for ensuring payment of PLB on actual wages, grant of parity in case of Railway Stenographers with those working in Central Secretariat Services, reduction of duty hours, improvement in Railway Quarters, Medical facilities, creation of New Posts for New Assets/Services without insisting on matching surrender etc., Ensure career improvement of Safaiwalas / Safaiwalies in Railways SPAD definition to be reviewed to prevent harassment of victimization of Running & Safety staff, Absorption of Quasi-Administrative Units/Offices Staff against GP Rs. 1800/- (PB-I), Setting up of multi-disciplinary training institute to impart training in rail related electronic technologies to the wards of Railway employees, Induct Course Completed Act Apprentices against Safety vacancies etc.

4. Scrap report ,of Bibek Debroy Committee & implement positive recommendations of High Power Committee (Running & Safety).

5. Recall FDI notification of Government of India dated 22nd August, 2014 in construction, operation & maintenance of Indian Railways and scrap all agreements entered into with foreign Companies as well as National Companies which are detrimental to the interests of Railways & Nation.

6. Stop anti-worker amendments of labour laws.

7. Injustice done to Railway Employees like Technicians, Technical Supervisors, Loco and Traffic Running Staff, Operating Staff, Medical categories etc., in respect of allotment of 7th CPC Pay Matrix levels and promotional scope should be done away with and justice administered.

8. Ensure parity in pay structure & promotional scope for common categories with those working in the Central Secretariat/Ministries.

9. Retain existing allowance/advances.

10. (a) Constitute Joint Committees at each Ministry/Departmental level to resolve the VII CPC anomalies / berrations / injustices within the prescribed time frame, empowering them to resolve.
(b) Set up National Joint Committee to discuss and resolve VII CPC anomalies / aberrations / injustices within the prescribed time frame.

11. Ensure payment of P.L. Bonus at the rate of Rs. 7000/- p.m. for the year 2014-15 as was done in October, 2008 when the salary calculation limit was revised from Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 3500/- p.m.

Source : NFIR

Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir – Extension reg.

No.31011/7/2014-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: June 1st, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir – Extension reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014- Estt.(A-1V) dated 26th September, 2014 where Government servants in relaxation to CCS(LTC) Rules, were allowed to travel by air to visit Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), North East Region (NER) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) on LTC for a period of two years against conversion of one block of Home Town LTC. The relaxation was given subject to air travel by Air India only.

2. Later vide DoPT’s O.M. of even no. dated 28.11.2014, the Government decided to allow travel by private airlines to visit Jammu & Kashmir under this special dispensation scheme subject to certain conditions. The scheme was valid for a period of one year from the date of issue of the O.M. and expired on 27.11.2015.

3. It has now been decided to extend the scheme for a further period from the date of issue of this O.M., till the date of expiry of the of the special dispensation scheme of travel by air to J&K, NER and A&N, i.e. 25.09.2016. All other terms and conditions prescribed in this Department’s O.M. dated 28.11.2014 shall continue to apply.

(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (Establishment)

Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: 28th November, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit J&K.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014- Estt.(A-1V) dated 26th September, 2014. It has been decided that the Government servants while availing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under the special dispensation scheme allowed by the aforesaid O.M. may also travel by private airlines subject to the following conditions:-

(i) Officers entitled to travel by air may also travel by private airlines from their headquarters;

(ii) Officers not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by private airlines between Delhi /Amritsar and any place in J&K.

2. Air travel by private airlines is to be performed in Economy Class only an at LTC-80 fare of Air India or less.

3. Air Tickets to be purchased directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey. Booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted.

4. All other conditions prescribed in this Ministry’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(AIV) dated 26.09.2014 would continue to apply.

5. The order will remain in force for a period of one year from the date of issue of this order.

(B. Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Authority: www.persmin.gov.in

7th Pay Commission: Secretaries' panel to bring cheers for govt employees on June 11

The group of secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha is all set to meet on June 11 to give final shape to the changes on 7th Pay Commission recommendation.

 This will give the much needed boost to lakhs of government employees who are anxiously waiting for the implementation of the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission.

The secretaries group is expected to meet on June 11 to finally wrap up its report on the remuneration of government employees.

News reports further state that it will take only a few days afterwards by the finance ministry to implement the higher pay package for central government employees.

The secretaries group has recommended between Rs 2,70,000 and Rs 21,000 hike for the higher and the lower level. This is twenty thousand more in the upper limit prescribed by the 7th CPC and three thousand more in the lower level set by the commission.

7th Pay Commission – Confederation calls for Strike as it perceives low wage hike

The Staff side had demand of minimum wage of Rs 26000/- & fitment formula of 3.71. Against this the 7th CPC had recommended minimum wage of Rs 18000/- & fitment formula of 2.57. The 7th CPC recommendations has provided only at 14% wage hike at Group “C” level it is only ranging from Rs 2240/- to  Rs  3500/- increase per month, and at Group “B” level ranging from Rs 4000/- to   Rs 6500/- increase per month. This increase is lowest by any pay commission, hence vast changes are required as the prices of essential commodities have gone up and also the inflation rate has gone up.

There are various reports on 7th Central Pay commission on the media reports on minimum wage of Rs 21000/- & fitment formula of 3.00, (which is at 34% wage hike against the 14% wage hike recommended by the 7thCPC).  These reports are totally wrong and not true, these reports divert the Central Government Employees from the struggle path. Now it’s clear from the meeting of the staff side leaders with the Cabinet Secretary that there will likely hood of the slight increase in minimum wage, but not be any  changes in the fitment formula.This is against the Staff side demand of minimum wage of Rs 26000/- & fitment formula of 3.71.

Secondly there is no change in allowances expect HRA that too its rates are reduced by the 7th CPC and also many allowances have been withdrawn. This is saving for the Government.

Comrades it is the time to struggle, we should educate the members and prepare for struggle, so that we should get at least 50% wage hike without allowances, as allowances are not taken into pension benefit.

Only struggle will get us benefit. Please don’t believe on rumours. Now it is now or never.  Serve strike notice on 9th June 2016.

Source: Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, Karnataka Branch