8.5 Lakh Employees Participate in Central Government Employees Union Strike

8.5 Lakh Employees Participate in Central Government Employees Union Strike

According to the press release of the Confederation of Central Government Employees, more than 8.5 lakh employees participated in the strike to protest against the Central Government’s attitude.

Implement the labour laws without any exceptions or changes; provide social security to non-regulated employment sectors; withdraw the new pension scheme; control the prices of essential commodities; No ban on creation of new posts; include 100% dearness allowance to basic pay; at least five promotions during the entire service period and removal of all ceilings on bonus – these are some of the demands presented by the Central Government workers unions during the strike in which more than 8.5 lakh workers had participated.

wage revision has been denied to Central Government employees for the past five years. Despite the fact that dearness allowance has exceeded 100%, it has not yet been added to the basic pay. Instead of creating new jobs, contract employees are being brought in. Denial of the statutory defined benefit pension to the fresh appointees and above all the closure of the negotiating forum JCM since 2010.

10 workers unions had participated in the strike. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), which enjoys the support of the BJP, did not participate in the strike. Virjesh Upadhyay, the general secretary of BMS, said, “Majority of the bank employees will not participate in the strike called for by the Central Government workers unions. Electricity, oil and gas distribution will not be affected. Employees of the national thermal power association and the national hydroelectricity power association, and the powergrid will not be participating in the strike.”

The Confederation news report said that despite the fact that BMS did not participate in the strike, it was a resounding success with the participation of 8.5 lakh employees. There was near-complete participation of Central Government employees in eight states. In the other states, there was 80% participation.

The Confederation has also thanked all the employees who had participated in the strike. It has also thanked all the leaders and members, on behalf of the Confederation’s secretary.

Source: CGEN