New Delhi. A round of meetings is going on regarding the 8th Pay Commission for central employees and pensioners. The Commission team is meeting employee and pensioner organizations and listening to their demands and suggestions. Many important issues related to salaries, pensions, allowances and facilities of employees were raised in the meetings held in Chennai.
1. Demand for change in salary and pension
Employee organizations including GPO Pensioners Forum demanded better revision in salaries and pensions. Also, emphasis was laid on strengthening the social security of the employees.
2. Change in salary system
The organizations demanded changes in the existing pay matrix system and suggested implementing a system like running pay scale.
3. Proposal to increase minimum wage
The issue of demand for increasing the minimum basic salary of central employees to around ₹68,000 to ₹69,000 also came up in the meeting.
4. Annual increment increased
Employee organizations have suggested increasing the existing 3 percent annual increment to 6 to 7 percent.
5. Demand for restoration of old pension
Pensioner organizations demanded re-implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Along with this, the issue of increase in family pension was also raised.
6. Emphasis on perks and facilities
Improvements were demanded in matters like fitment factor, DA, HRA, commutation and MACP. Suggestions were also given to increase employee allowances and leave related benefits.
7. Issues of women and disabled employees
The special needs of women employees and disabled employees were also discussed in the meeting. The organizations placed before the Commission the demand for better facilities, improvements in matters related to career and promotion.