GOVERNMENT HANDS OUT I-DAY BONANZA TO ITS STAFF

(Times of India 15.08.2008)

FOR WHOM IT IS BONANZA?

The Union Cabinet on Thursday bettered the recommendations of the sixth pay commission, coming up with a please – all final award. In the process, the UPA coalition managed to placate about 40 lakhs organized government employees who had been vocal about their resentment at the rising inflation and interest rates. The final package marks an increase of 21% over and above what the pay panel had recommended.

The above paragraph is quoted from the article appeared in the Times of India on 15th August 2008 – 62nd Independence Day of our country. What is the fact?

After a wait of nearly five months, the government has finally taken a decision to implement the 6 CPC recommendations with some minor modifications. What the modification the Government done on Justice Sreekrishna’s report.

The fitment in the pay bands has been modified by replacing the multiple factor 1.74 which was recommended by the Pay commission as 1.86. The fact was that as on 1.1.2006 the employees were drawing DA at 86%. The 6 CPC did not consider the DP factor and denied the benefit of 12%, an element that is already part of the pay. This 12% that was snatched away has now been restored. This is not a bonanza; it is not at all an additional increase. It is only restoration of what is due to the employees.

The minimum basic pay for a government servant has been increased to Rs 7000 from Rs 6660/-. The claim by the Government is nothing but to misguide, not only the employees but the whole nation. The fact is that the entry level in the government service at Group D (the minimum wage) is Rs 6050/- after the cabinet decision. Rs 7000/- is the entry level for Group C. After applying the multiplying factor of 1.86 (2750x1.86 =5115 rounded nearest in tens= 5120+1800 (Grade pay) =6920, brought it into Rs 7000/-

None of the demands raised by the staff side to improve the minimum pay recommended by the Pay commission has been accepted by the Government. It has neither been considered the Need Based Minimum Wage as per the 15th ILC formula nor the National Net Product formula of 5th Central Pay Commission by which the minimum pay cannot be below Rs 7400/- correspond to Rs 2550/-.

All earlier Pay Commissions have applied uniform multiple factor for pay fixation for all section of employees. For example the multiple factor for the fixation of pay by 5th CPC was 3.2 across the board. Thus the percentage in increase in pay was also in uniform. But by accepting the recommendations of Sixth CPC the Manmohan government increased the pay at the entry level from Rs 4750 to Rs 6050 (A meager of Rs 1300/-) where as the pay of the Secretary from Rs 26000 to Rs 80000 (an increase of Rs 54000) and that of Cabinet Secretary from Rs 30000 to Rs 90000/- (an increase of Rs 60000). At the entry level the increase is just 27% where as the increase for Secretary, it is 207% and for Cabinet Secretary it is 200%. For other top bureaucrats and senior scientists also the increase is about 200% or more. At the same time the Government has not considered to extent a uniform hike of 40% to the non gazetted employees in Group D, C, B and even in Group A.

The Government has agreed to raise the rate of increment as 3% instead of 2.5% of the basic pay. The request to re install the CCA and other benefits also was not considered by the Government, it seems from the press communiqué issued by the Government.

At the same time the Government has given more attention to the demands raised by the IPS, IFS, senior scientists and other senior officials in civilian and that of Military Force and upgraded the pay structure of those section.

From the communiqué issued by the Press Information Bureau it is clear that the DAE, DOS & DRDO too pleaded to extend more benefit to the scientific community only. The Government agreed to place the Scientists E & F into the Pay Band 4 instead of PB 3 by which the initial pay of a Scientist F (SF) is getting a jump from Rs 32,490/pm (recommended by Sixth CPC) to Rs 48200/pm. (an increase of Rs 15710/pm). Further the Government agreed to continue to grant special pay of Rs 2000/pm to Scientist G (SG) on promotion and doubling the amount to Rs 4000/pm. Already the update allowance has been enhanced from Rs 5000/pa to Rs 30000/pa for Scientific Officers. If considered these increases pay hike for senior scientists shall be more than 300%.

We are not against the hike extended to the scientific community. But the same approach the Department should be extended to other non scientific communities of the Department. But those who prepared the reports and recommendations were busy to canvas there on pay and perks and were not bothered for their subordinates.

Thus the Government or the Department has not done any thing to correct the wide disparity in wages amongst the employees and officers. On the contrary the disparity is widened in certain cases.

From the above it crystal clear that for whom the Government decision on Pay Commission is Bonanza. By any standards the decision to accept the recommendations of Sixth CPC with minor modifications are not at all a Bonanza to the Non gazetted central Government employees but only a deception and denial of justice.

Under such circumstances, the employees have to vehemently agitate and struggle for justice. Let us not confused with the announcement of the Government on Pay Commission Report and let us concentrate to mobilize the employees against the Governments decision which is discriminatory in nature.

We got the opportunity to show our strength by participating in the Nation Wide Strike on 20th August 2008. The strike is not only for pay commission related issues, but for protecting our Pension and other rights which are now increasingly under the treat of privatization.

Only a successful strike of the employees in general and DAE employees in particular would protect our rights. The battle cannot be won without forging unity with the entire work force of the Department along with the employees of other sector.

TIME IS SHORT………
BE UNITED & GET ORGANISED ………
PREPARE FOR FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE……….
MAKE THE 20TH AUGUST STRIKE A TOTAL SUCCESS……….
GIVE A BEFITTING REPLY TO THE GOVERNMENT & DAE
FOR DISHONESTY & FRAUD ON NON GAZETTED EMPLOYEES………

NFAEE ZINDABAD
CONFEDERATION OF CG EMPLOYEES & WORKERS ZINDABAD
WORKING CLASS UNITY ZINDABAD

National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees
NFAEE
Regn.No.17/9615
Recognised by DAE vide DAE OM No. 8/1/2007 – IR&W/95 dated 13th June 2007
JCM Office, Brindavan, Anusaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094
Website: www.nfaeehq.blogspot.com
Email address: nfaee@yahoo.com

Ref No: nfaee/sg/08/106 02.08.2008

To
All Affiliates
Secretariat members of NFAEE

Dear Comrades,

Hopes that all affiliates took the decision to give notice for the industrial action on 20th August 2008. From various organizations presented their views that whatever may be the programme conducting by various associations, it should be uniform irrespective of their participation. Hance all affiliates are also requested to discuss in the committee meetings thread bear about the possibility to go for strike action, or other wise what should be the action progrmee.

Keep it in mind that the decision of your association shall reflect in the final decision to go for what type of action programme shall be organized by DAE employees in all units on 20th August 2008. This discussion also shall be taken with two to three days that is by 7th August 2008 and communicate to the head quarters.

With openness all affiliates are requested to communicate the feelings of the committee and what extend we can proceeds on 20th August 2008.

Based on the above views of various unions and associations and extended meeting of the Secretariat of NFAEE shall be called on 15/16th August to take final decision about the course of action programme.

With fraternal greetings

Comradely yours

Jayaraj.K.V
Secretary General

______________________________________________________________________________________
Address for Correspondence: Jayaraj.KV, Secretary General, NFAEE
PESS/UED; BARC, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085
Tel. No: (O): 022 – 25594549; (Res): 022 – 2746 4704; (Mobile): 9869501189
Email Address: nfaee@yahoo.com, jrajkv@yahoo.com

*******

National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees
NFAEE
Regn.No.17/9615
Recognised by DAE vide DAE OM No. 8/1/2007 – IR&W/95 dated 13th June 2007
JCM Office, Brindavan, Anusaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094
Website: www.nfaeehq.blogspot.com
Email address: nfaee@yahoo.com

Ref: nfaee/sg/08/107 4th August 2008

To
Secretary to the Government of India
Department of Atomic Energy
Anushakthu Bhavan
CSM Marg, Mumbai 400 001.

Sub: Participation in the one day strike on 20th August 2008- Reg.

Sir,

I am directed to inform that the members of affiliated unions and Association of NFAEE will go on a one day strike on 20th August 2008 along with other sections of the employees and workers of the country in pursuance of the six point of charter of demands adopted by the National Convention of Central and State employees and Teachers held on 8th July 2008.

The declaration adopted in the said Convention is enclosed for information.

This may please be treated as strike notice.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,

(Jayaraj.K.V)
Secretary General

Enclosure: Copy of Declaration adopted in the Convention
______________________________________________________________________________________

Address for Correspondence: Jayaraj.KV, Secretary General, NFAEE
PESS/UED; BARC, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085
Tel. No: (O): 022 – 25594549; (Res): 022 – 2746 4704; (Mobile): 9869501189
Email Address: nfaee@yahoo.com, jrajkv@yahoo.com

DECLARATION

Adopted unanimously at the convention of
Central and State Government employees, University, College and School Teachers

held on 8th July 2008 at New Delhi .

This Joint Convention of Central & State Govt. employees, Defence workers, University, College and School Teachers and other employees held this day, the 8th July, 2008 adopts the following declaration:

The Convention notes with distress that the Govt. of India and many State Governments in the country have been following the World Bank-IMF dictated neo-liberal economic policies unabated since 1991 despite the sustained and continued opposition and resistance of the working people. While fabulously enriching a few in the topmost strata of the society and allowing comfort to the high segment of the middle class, it has pushed millions of our countrymen to penury and poverty. While the economy is claimed to have grown at a faster pace during this period, the workers, peasants and common people became poorer in a much more accelerated manner.

The unprecedented inflation and rise in prices of the essential commodities and its accelerating trend caused due to the pursuance of the anti-people economic policies of globalization, liberalization and privatization has made the workers' and poor people's life miserable and unbearable. The raging inflation nullifies whatever increase in DA is granted by the Central and State Governments and will wipe out any financial benefit that might accrue to the

The Central and State Govt. employees and the teaching community have always been in the forefront of the struggles and industrial actions organized under the auspices of Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions. This convention, therefore, strongly supports the decision of the Sponsoring Committee to organize yet another one day countrywide united strike on 20th August, 2008 to oppose the disastrous economic policies and force the Govt to effectively control and bring down the rampant escalation of prices of commodities

The present ferocious trend of price-rise which has already touched about 12% has become a killer disease for the ordinary countrymen, but most astonishingly, the Central Government is betraying an extremely callous and indifferent attitude to this type of unforeseen price-rise and pooh-poohing it as nothing but a 'world phenomenon'.

The trade unions of the country including those in the Govt sector can not remain just as spectators, when employees and the common people are writhing with unbearable pain of this phenomenon. It is, therefore, the bounden duty of all trade unions to rise up to the occasion with vigorous protest compelling the Govt to control the spiraling price rise of essential commodities and rescue the people from this extremely tormenting and fatal situation.

It is diabolical that while the country is reeling under the unprecedented and uncontrolled price rise, the Govt. is crazy in pursuing the Nuclear Deal even at the cost of national sovereignty. Hence arises the need for joining the countrywide strike on 20 August 2008.

This convention recognizes the fact that the Govt's attempt for withdrawal of the Statutory Pension Scheme of Govt. Employees to replace it with a contributory system is conceived to transfer funds from poor to rich and to finance the stock market operations. The mass scale outsourcing of regular jobs, contractorisation, and privatization have become the modern instruments of exploitation. This is being applied in all Govt sectors including the teaching community and the teaching institutions. In all sectors; be it private, public or Government; denial of legitimate wages to the workers are encouraged blatantly by the Govt. Basic and hard earned labour welfare legislative enactments are sought to be replaced by reactionary ones to provide room for unhindered exploitation of workers and to appease the Trans-national Corporations.

Right to Strike for the Govt. employees has not yet been formally granted. This year is the 60th year of Declaration of Human Rights by the ILO. Govt. of India is a member State of the ILO. However, for the last 60 years Govt. of India has been consistently refusing to ratify the ILO convention 87,98 in regard to TU rights and 151 concerning such rights to workers in public services. This convention demands of the Government to ratify the convention 87,98 and 151 and afford the right to strike to the Government employees.

This convention views the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission as yet another manifestation of the intent of the ruling class to intensify the neo-liberal economic policies. The 6th CPC has discarded all the established norms and principles of wage determination and has advanced untenable arguments to deny the employees the minimum wage. It has openly advocated Corporatisation and even privatization of major departments of the Govt. of India, Railways and Defence in particular. This convention asks the Government to deist from the practice of Corporatisation and privatization of Government departments. In consonance with the practices prevailing in the western world, the commission has suggested hefty pay packets and benefits for the top echelons in the bureaucracy denying in the process even the legitimate and genuine demands of the employees. The commission's recommendation to dispense with the existing Bonus scheme and introduce a system of performance related wage structure being bereft of any logic or merit has been rejected by all the organizations of Central Govt. employees unanimously. The convention condemns the suggestion made by the 6th CPC to abolish Group D Cadre and to stop recruitment of Group D employees as being superfluous in the Govt. departments and permit contractorisation of these functions henceforth. This direction of the 6th CPC, if implemented by the Central Govt, will play havoc in the States, where the number of Group-D employees is in colossal numbers. This convention therefore demands the Govt. to enter into a meaningful discussion with the employees' organizations and bring about a satisfactory settlement on the recommendations made by the 6th CPC and ensure that the retrograde recommendation on stoppage of Group D recruitment is rejected.

The 6th CPC has not recommended to extend the existing defined benefit Pension Scheme for new recruits, which the Govt has stopped without any statutory sanction This is unacceptable and the Convention demands that the proposed new Contributory Pension Scheme which is yet to receive the assent of Parliament should be scrapped and all Govt. employees (including those recruited after 1.1.2004) brought within the ambit of the statutory defined pension scheme.

In addition to the above demands of the Govt sector in particular, the Convention fully adopts the Charter of Demands and endorses the programme of actions chalked out by the Sponsoring Committee in its national Convention held at New Delhi on 13th May, 2008 and calls upon the central and State Govt. employees, University, College and School Teachers to organize a day's countrywide strike on 20th August, 2008 in unison with the other sections of the working class in the country and carry out the following preparatory programmes of action.

1. Joint Conventions at States/District/Industrial centers to be completed by 15th July 2008.

2. Massive demonstration/mobilization/dharna in all the states and Industrial centers on 30th July, 2008.

3. Serving of strike notice through demonstration on 4th August 2008.

This Convention urges that Central and State employees' organizations, Teachers and other section of employees in the Govt sector should take steps for successful observance of the Strike through unified and coordinated action in all States.

The Convention also calls upon the State Govt. employees and Teachers to organize solidarity action programme as and when the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers and other sections of the Central Govt. employees go for strike and other industrial action demanding satisfactory settlement of the 6th CPC recommendations. The 6-Point Charter of Demands adopted by the Sponsoring Committee in National Convention of Trade Unions on 13 May 2008

1.Take urgent step to contain price-rise through (a) universalizing the public distribution system throughout the country to cater all essential commodities at controlled price through PDS, (b) ban on futures and forward trading in all essential commodities, (C) reduction of tax in petrol and diesel, (d) stringent action against hoarding and black marketing.

2. Strict implementation of all labour laws particularly in respect of minimum wages, working hours, social security and safety and stringent action against all cases of violations; stop contractorisation and outsourcing

3. Scope of the Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Bill pending in Parliament should be expanded to cover all unorganised sector workers irrespective of BPL or APL category to ensure a national minimum social security benefit for them as per unanimous recommendation of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour with Central Govt Funding.

4. Farmers Loan Waiver Scheme to be extended to loans from private moneylenders; nationalized banks to extend easy credit to peasants at lower interest rate.

5. Lift ban on recruitment in Govt services; remove the negative and discriminatory features in the recommendation of 6th Pay Commission and finalise the same for implementation in consultation with the employees’ organisations; expedite regularization and grant of pension to 'gramin dak-sevaks.'

6. Expedite wage negotiation for the employees of Central PSUs including the contract workers without any conditionality.

******

National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees
NFAEE
Regn.No.17/9615
Recognised by DAE vide DAE OM No. 8/1/2007 – IR&W/95 dated 13th June 2007
JCM Office, Brindavan, Anusaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094
Website: www.nfaeehq.blogspot.com
Email address: nfaee@yahoo.com

Ref No: nfaee/sg/08/110 17.08.2008

To

All affiliates,
NFAEE

Sub: Implementation of the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission (SCPC) – Reg.

Dear Comrades,

Hopes that by this time all affiliates must gone through the note circulated by the Government on the Cabinet decision to implement the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission.

Though the Government came out the decision to misguide the employees who all are preparing for make the Nation wide strike on 20th August 2008. But the declaration of the decision has become most sharp weapon to beat the government on 20th August 2008 as the Government has not took any initiative to correct the recommendations which are widely retrograde in nature.

The Government has considered none of the suggestions submitted by the staff side on Minimum pay, fitment formula, uniform multiple factor etc thus the disparity in wages amongst the employees and officers aroused by the recommendations of SCPC stands as it is.

By seeing the press communiqué, it is established that the Department too took pain to get better benefits to the scientific community only. None of the issues raised by the Federation and various affiliates to the Secretary, DAE and other senior most officials in the Department fallen on deaf ears.

Thus the importance of the Strike action on 20th August 2008 has become more relevant. This strike action should be the opportunity to give befitting reply to the Government as well to DAE for their discriminatory approach towards the work force in Central Government in general by the Government and in DAE by the Departmental officials.

The national executive of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers scheduled to meet on 26th August to take stock and plan the future course of action.

In the mean time all affiliates are requested to all DAE employees to demonstrate their discontentment against the decision of the Government/DAE by participating fully in the nation wide strike on 20th August 2008 along with other section of work force of the country.

I am attaching herewith copies of the Press Release issued by the Government, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers and the draft prepared as campaign material.

All affiliates are requested to initiate vigorous campaign on 18th & 19th August 2008 among the DAE employees in all DAE units to ensure standstill of the activities of DAE on 20th August 2008. Those affiliates are in confusion to go for strike on 29th August, should reconsider their decision to go for solidarity action on 20th August, and prepare & mobilize the employees to join in strike by halting the activities of all DAE units.

It is great pleasure to note here that the unions associations of Kalpakkam Based units, Mumbai based units and CAT Indore is marching foreword to ensure participation of DAE employees of those units. NFAEE Head Quarters hopes that affiliates of the NFAEE of all other DAE units also follow these organizations for uniform strike action on 20th August 2008 to protect our pay and perks and other facilities.

With regards

Comradely yours

(Jayaraj.K.V)
Secretary General

___________________________________________________________
Address for Correspondence: Jayaraj.KV, Secretary General, NFAEE
PESS/UED; BARC, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085
Tel. No: (O): 022 – 25594549; (Res): 022 – 2746 4704; (Mobile): 9869501189
Email Address: nfaee@yahoo.com, jrajkv@yahoo.com

*******

National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees
NFAEE
Regn.No.17/9615
Recognised by DAE vide DAE OM No. 8/1/2007 – IR&W/95 dated 13th June 2007
JCM Office, Brindavan, Anusaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094
Website: www.nfaeehq.blogspot.com
Email address: nfaee@yahoo.com

Ref No: nfaee/sg/08/111 17.08.2008

To

All affiliates,
NFAEE

Sub: Preparation of Strike action on 20th August 2008

Dear Comrades,

A meeting of the Office bearers of NFAEE available at Head Quarters and the office bearers of Mumbai based DAE unit was held on 17th August 2008 to discuss about the preparation of Strike on 20th August 2008 as well as the decision of the Union Cabinet to implement the recommendations of the sixth central pay commission.

The meeting after detailed discussion made conclusion that the decision for strike on 20th august become more relevant and accordingly decided to furtherance to preparation of strike on 20th august vigorously. Also decided to have badge demonstration on 19th August 2008 as a campaign for mobilization for participation in the strike on 20th August 2008.

All affiliates are requested to explore the possibility to have badge demonstration on 19th August to ensure maximum employees in strike on 20th August 2008. A draft for the badge is attached herewith.

With regards

Comradely yours

(Jayaraj.K.V)
Secretary General

_________________________________________________
Address for Correspondence: Jayaraj.KV, Secretary General, NFAEE
PESS/UED; BARC, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085
Tel. No: (O): 022 – 25594549; (Res): 022 – 2746 4704; (Mobile): 9869501189
Email Address: nfaee@yahoo.com, jrajkv@yahoo.com
********