‘Give 40% hike, or we’ll strike’

Not happy with the proposed 18 % hike in salary, civic employee unions, led by Sharad Rao and Shiv Sena’s Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, have threatened to go on strike from November 21.

Not happy with the proposed 18 % hike in salary, civic employee unions, led by Sharad Rao and Shiv Sena’s Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, have threatened to go on strike from November 21.

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The civic body is ‘in principle’ ready to pay 18% hike, but employee unions said they won’t accept anything less than 40%. Also, the unions have demanded that all contract labourers be taken on the BMC payroll.

“We are not happy with what the civic administration is giving us. Hence, we will go on strike from coming Sunday,” advocate Sukhdev Kashid of municipal union said, adding that hospitals and conservancy staff will participate.

In July 2010, the civic administration had appointed a committee, led by PMA Hakeem, former secretary, animal husbandry, Government of India, to submit recommendations on pay revision for civic employees. The committee submitted its report on November 9, and the government has accepted “all its suggestions”.

Swadheen Kshatriya, municipal commissioner, said the new pay structure would be effective from January 1, 2006. “But we will provide arrears in installments,” he said.

According to the committee’s recommendations, minimum wage of a class IV employee should be increased from Rs 8,805 to Rs 10,414 with additional Rs 640 per annum and 3% routine increment per year. It also suggested that travelling allowance be increased from existing Rs 100-200 to minimum Rs 600 and maximum Rs 3,200, depending on the grade.

The panel’s suggestions also included 30% house rent allowance, child education allowance of Rs 6,000 (per child) for two children from age group of 5 to 22 years, and time-bound promotions.