2014 FEBRUARY 12th & 13th 48 HOURS STRIKE
CONFEDERATION REQUESTED INTERVENTION OF MP’S
COPY OF THE LETTER SENT TO ALL MP’S
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
AND WORKERS
Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.
E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.
Dated: 4th February, 2014
D/14/2014(2)(MP)
Dear Sir,
The Confederation of Central Government employees and workers is the apex level
organisation of all Federations/Associations/Unions of CGEs other than in the
Railways and Defence establishments. In our last National Executive
meeting, we were constrained to decide to call upon our members to organise TWO
DAYS strike on 12th and
13thFebruary, 2014 in pursuance of our charter of demands.
It was in the wake of a strike action in 1960s by the Central Govt. Employees,
the Govt. of India set up the permanent negotiating machinery called JCM so
that the employees will be able to raise their demands and grievances and seek
settlement thereof through dialogue. This machinery has now come to a
standstill as the Govt. does not convene the meetings of the councils at the
Departmental levels on one pretext or the other. A new set of rules were
promulgated in 1993 to grant recognition to Service Associations. Many
Ministries, despite the employees organizations abiding by the stipulated
conditions, have not afforded recognition to the Associations/Federations,
thereby closing all channels of communication. The JCM had the facility
of referring the issues on which the Government could not agree upon to the
Board of Arbitration. The decision/award of the Board was binding on all
parties. However, of late the Government had been rejecting the awards in
favour of the employees on the specious plea of adverse impact on national
economy by presenting resolutions in the Parliament. We need not
emphasise the unethical character of this approach which undermines the
confidence of the employees in the fairness of the system. .
The new contributory pension scheme was introduced by the Government on the
plea that the pension liability has become unbearable and is a drag on the
exchequer. In our Memorandum to the Prime Minister, we had raised several
issues and had pointed out that the financial outflow on account of the new
scheme will be much more than the existing defined benefit scheme. We had
indicated in our memorandum quite a number of aspects which would be
detrimental to the interest of workers. In the debate on PFRDA Bill in the last
session of Parliament. We could notice that quite number of MPs had demanded
for the withdrawal of the Bill itself as it only benefits the Stock market
operators and entrepreneurs. Even the Standing Committee’s suggestion for
incorporation of a minimum return to the employees was turned down by the
Government. We are certain that the new contributory pension scheme shall be a
drag on the exchequer and the scheme will turn out to be a conduct for the flow
of the poor employees’ savings to the corporate houses. We appeal to you to
raise your voice in the Parliament against the new contributory Pension Scheme
for its anti-employee and anti-national characteristic. The real purport
of the bill is reflected in the decision to allow FDI to the extent of 40% in
this sector. The said decision has facilities outflow of Indian savings for
investment outside the country.
The 6th CPC
recommendations and its implementation had given rise to various
anomalies. The employees genuinely felt that the said anomalies would be
removed through discussions for which the Government had set up a
committee. The Committee despite meeting on four occasions had not been
able to settle the issues; nor could it be referred to the Arbitrator. The 6th CPC recommendations were implemented
with effect from 1.1.2006. The revision of wages was due on 1.1.2011. The
Government has not so far come forward to set up the 7th CPC.
It had been the age-old practice to
revise the wages of Central Government employees as and when substantial
erosion takes place in the real value of wages. The 5th CPC opined that as and when the DA
Component in wages crosses over 50% such revision must take place and the said
Component of DA must be merged with pay. Accordingly the 6th CPC was set up and wages revised in
2006. On 1st January
2011 the Dearness allowance component in the emoluments of the employees
had reached 51%. The Government had been dilly dallying
the wage revision and merger of DA with Pay which would have helped the
employees to combat the soaring price rise. On 12th December 2012, the employees went on a
day’s strike which received magnificent response from the rank and fill of the
workers. The unbridled inflation and the consequent Price rise has made the existing
Pay and allowances incapable of making both ends meet. The
Government announced its intention of setting up 7th CPC thereafter but no follow-up action
ensued, leaving the employees with no alternative but to declare a 48 hours
strike on 12th and 13th February 2014. As on 1.1.2014 the DA
component has crossed over 100%. The Government attitude has become
untenable. On the request of the Government, the Staff side had submitted the
draft terms of reference for 7th CPC.
They had also raised the grant of interim Relief, which
normally precedes the notification of any CPC. The Staff Side of the National
Council had demanded the inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks within the ambit of the
7th CPC, an issue
which was at the core of discussion earlier in 2006. The Government has not
indicated its approach on this vital issue so far as a result of which about
three lakh GDS employees are in anxiety and desperation.
The Neo-liberal policies brought in its wake the unethical practice of contract
labour system and employing casual workers for perennial and permanent
jobs, which is strictly prohibited by the law of the land. Government
departments witnessed an overdose of this policy in the period between
2004-2014. More than one third of the work force in Govt. Sector is now
composed of such a informal workers. They are provided with
pittance of wages and the huge gap in wages of the regular and the informal
employees has been the root cause of inter-personnel tension and many fraudulent
ventures. Government functions are supported supposed to have an element
of security and accountability. The removal of this ill- advised system had
been a cry often falling on deaf ears. Besides there are quite a number of
casual workers employed to carry out perennial and permanent jobs. They are to
be regularised. In the postal department alone they number about 3 lakhs called
as GDS. Enclosed is a brief note on Charter of demands, the non-settlement of
which has resulted in the loss of confidence in the system itself and
consequent compulsion to tread the path of straggle. Many of these issues are
incorporated in the agenda of National Council for not less than
ten years back, begging settlement. The Government has made
procrastination an art in itself and allow the issues longer on for years.
We seek your solidarity and support and request you
to kindly raise these issues in the Parliament and ask the Government to settle
the demands of the Government employees.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully,
M.KRISHNAN
Secretary General
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