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Defence staff threaten stir if sixth pay panel is not set up
THE Joint Council Federation of Defence Employees Union has decided to go on an indefinite strike from March 1 to protest against the Centre?s alleged delay in setting up sixth pay commission.
THE Joint Council Federation of Defence Employees Union has decided to go on an indefinite strike from March 1 to protest against the Centre’s alleged delay in setting up sixth pay commission.
Talking to news persons, leaders of all three unions – the All- India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF), the Indian National Defence Workers Federation (INDWF), the Bharatiya Prathiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS) – criticised the Union Government for delay in setting up sixth pay commission for about 60 lakh Central Government employees.
The union leaders said they would not call off the proposed strike till the government constitute pay commission and consider their demands.
AIDEF general secretary Sri Kumar said the government was intending to turn 40 defence factories into private sector and allowing 26 per cent of FDI. It was a serious issue that could damage the country’s security, Kumar said.
BPMS general secretary MP Singh said the government was trying to implement Kelkar Committee report which recommended conversion of about 40 defence factories into corporate sector and later, they would be converted into private sector, Singh said.
They also said the issue of Kelkar Committee was raised at the JCM meeting with defence secretary who assured the union leaders that the government would not take any decision on Kelkar committee report without consulting the Federation.
The other demands put up before the government were: merger of 50 per cent dearness allowance w.e.f. July 1, 2002 instead of April 1, 2004, withdraw downsizing schemes, stop surrounding of post, stop outsourcing of activities, lift bar on recruitment and fill pending vacancies.
Besides, they demanded withdrawal of new contributory pension scheme, implementation of the agreement signed on September 11,1997 for rectification of the fifth pay commission anomalies, introduction grant of 300 days earn leave encasement for defence and other industrial workers, increase interest in GPF.
The leaders also raised the issue of removing ceiling of 5 per cent quota in respect of compassionate ground appointment and improvement in career opportunities of group D employees in Railways and in other ministries.
