Strike under reconsideration – Govt assured on Bonus, Minimum wage and Labour law issues

Proposed Strike on 2nd September under reconsideration – Govt assured on Bonus, Minimum wage and Labour law issues

Inter Ministerial Committee Holds Wider Consultations with Trade Unions on Charter of Demands Appeals to Reconsider Proposed Call for Strike in View of Discussions

The Second meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) continued discussion on 12 Demands Charter of Trade Unions for the second day here today in continuation of discussions held yesterday. The Committee comprises Shri Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, MoS(IC) Labour and Employment, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, MOS(IC) Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Jitendra Singh, MoS DOPT, and Shri Piyush Goel, MoS (IC),Power. During the discussions Trade Unions expressed concern and asked for clarifications on their demands. Addressing their concerns and expectations, the Finance Minister explained policies on which the Government is working and assured that the Government is committed to welfare of labour. Underlining the importance of role of Trade Unions, Shri Jaitely assured the Central Trade Unions that all labour laws reforms will be done with due discussions and tripartite consultations.

In view of the discussions held in conducive and cordial atmosphere, the IMC appealed to Trade Unions to reconsider the proposed call for strike on 2nd September, 2015.The Trade Unions have agreed to consider the appeal.

In view of the suggestions given by Central Trade Unions in the meetings held on 19th July, 26th August and 27th August, 2015, the Government assured the following :

1. Appropriate legislation for making formula based minimum wages mandatory and applicable to all employees across the country.

2. For the purposes of bonus the wage eligibility limit and calculation ceiling would be appropriately revised. Earlier in 2006-07 the calculation ceiling was decided at Rs.3500/- and eligibility limit was wage of Rs.10,000/- per month which is proposed to be revised to Rs.7,000 and Rs.21,000 respectively.

3. The Government is expanding the coverage of social security and working out ways to include construction workers, Aanganwari workers ,ASHA workers and Mid Day Meal workers..

4. Regarding contract workers the Government assured that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. Moreover, the Government is working out ways so that workers of industries will get sector specific minimum wages.

5. Government has already enhanced minimum pension for EPFO members and every pensioner gets minimum pension of Rs.1000/- per month perpetually.

6. Labour laws reforms will be based on tripartite consultations as already stated by the Prime Minister. The States are also being advised to follow the tripartite process.

7. For strict adherence to labour law enforcement, advisory has been issued to the State/UT Governments and strict monitoring has been initiated by Central Government.

8. For employment generation Mudra Yojana, Make in India, Skill India and National Career Service Portal initiatives have been taken.

9. Abolition of interviews for all primary jobs which do not require any special knowledge/expertise, is being done for transparency and expediting the process of recruitment.

10. Inflation is lowest in the last many years excepting two items onion and pulses. Government is taking necessary steps to contain the higher prices of these two commodities also.

It was further clarified that there is no ban on filling up of vacancies in Government jobs and all concerned Departments are taking necessary action to fill-up these vacancies. It was further assured that the Government is committed to job security, wages security and social security to the workers. The issue of equal wages for equal work for contract workers is an issue requiring wider consultations and a committee will be constituted, if required.

Source: PIB News

Women Employee needs Eight month maternity leave to be thought through

Women Employee needs Eight month maternity leave to be thought through

New Delhi: Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi’s proposal to extend three-month maternity leave to eight months needs to be thought through.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi

There is no doubt that newborns need their mothers, but extending maternity leave for eight months is not the right solution.

No company or government can afford an employee to be away for eight months, and if they are made to do so, they may not be eager to hire or promote women.

Encouraging mothers with young children to remain in the workforce is a challenge no company or government has worked out yet.

Last year, Facebook and Apple came under criticism when they offered cash incentives to their female employees to freeze and store their eggs. This, the companies claimed, was done so that women could focus on their careers.

But this idea has not caught on yet, and with many people doubtful about tampering with the ‘natural order’ it is not likely to do so anytime soon.

So what is the solution? There is no ideal one, but what is clear is the government must give companies some leeway.

Training a new person, employing them for eight months and getting rid of them when the woman returns to work is unfair to the employee, the company and to the woman herself.

Why? Because one cannot assume in today’s fast moving world, that her role would have remained the same as it was eight months ago. New skills may be required.

Therefore it is better to ask pregnant women upfront if they would like to return to work post-pregnancy. If they do, they must devote a certain number of hours to work.

The government must support this by helping to set up creches, and allowing women to work part time from home. This is better than having a woman return to work after eight months.

Via: tkbsen

Four Month Extension of Term of 7th Central Pay Commission

Four Month Extension of Term of 7th Central Pay Commission

Extension of the term of the 7th Central Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for the extension of the term of the 7th Central Pay Commission by four months up to 31.12.2015.
The 7th Central Pay Commission was constituted by the Central Government on 28.2.2014. According to the Resolution dated 28.2.2014, by which the Commission was constituted, it is to make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution that is by 27th August, 2015.

In view of its volume of work and intensive stake-holders’ consultations, the 7th Central Pay Commission had made a request to the Government for a four month extension up to 31.12.2015

Source: centralgovernmentnews.com

ACP – NON IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVT’S ORDER IN KV

ACP-NON IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVT’S ORDER IN KV


IN PURSUANCE TO PER 6TH PAY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA HAS IMPLEMENTED MACP SCHEME W.E.F. 1/9/2008. AND, THE PREVIOUS ACP SCHEME WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYEES OF KV, TILL 31/08/2008.

THUS AS PER ACP/MACP RULE AN LDC COMPLETED 12 YEARS SERVICE AS ON 31/08/2008 WOULD GET 1ST ACP WORTH RS 2400 GRADE PAY AND AN LDC COMPLETED 24 YEARS SERVICE ON THE STIPULATED DATE WILL GET RS. 4200 GRADE PAY. AND VARIOUS MINISTRIES/OFFICES OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA HAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED THIS ORDER TO THE EMPLOYEES SERVING THERE.

BUT IT SURPRISED TO NOTE THAT IN ORDER TO GET THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA’S AFORESAID ORDER IMPLEMENTED IN KV, KV STAFF HAS TO KNOCK THE DOOR OF COURTS. IN THIS RESPECT, A COPY OF THE LETTER SENT TO THE COMMISSIONER, KENDRIYA VIDHYALAYA BY THE KENDRIYA VIDHYALAYA NON-TEACHING STAFF ASSOCIATION, IS PLACED BELOW.

WE EXPECT THIS GENUINE DEMAND OF THE KV EMPLOYEE WILL BE ACCEPTED AND IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY.

-TKR PILLAI

Banks confirm participation in September 2 general strike nationwide

Banks confirm participation in September 2 general strike nationwide

Bank employees and officers associations have confirmed their participation in the nationwide general strike to be held on September 2.

In a press release, CH Venkatachalam, the General Secretary of All India Bank Employees Association, said,

“The Centre is following anti-worker and anti-welfare policies. Serious damage is being particularly caused to workers’ rights. The Centre is trying to appease the capitalists and industrialists at the cost of the workers and the rest of the society.

“Reforms are being brought to the labour laws in favour of the management. The rights of the workers and labour unions are being taken away. Excessive overseas investments are being allowed into the railways, defence, and finance sectors. New jobs are not being created as much as they should be. The Centre is also not taking any steps to regulate the prices of essential commodities.

“The central workers union has called for a nationwide strike on September 2 to condemn this attitude of the Centre. Bank officers and employees’ unions will participate in this strike.”

One Rank One Pension announcement likely on Friday (28.8.2015)

One Rank One Pension announcement likely on Friday (28.8.2015)

“There is speculation that an OROP announcement could come as early as Friday, August 28, the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war with Pakistan”.

OROP – Fasting protesters admitted to the hospital

Retired servicemen from the armed forces are on a fast-until-death protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme.

One of the protesters is Retired Colonel Pushpender Singh, who has been fasting for eight days. His health condition worsened and he was examined by a doctor who said that he had to be rushed immediately to the hospital. The former Colonel was taken to the military hospital.

He was replaced by Saheb Singh at the protest. Major Singh and Ashok Chauhan are the other protestors who are fasting until death for the implementation of One Rank One Pension.

Prior to being rushed to the hospital, Pushpender Singh said, “I don’t want to go to the hospital, but I’m forced to because the doctors are worried that it might affect the functioning of my brain. I shall resume my fast after my discharge from the hospital.”

Grant of higher Grade Pay to Fire Engine Drivers

Grant of higher Grade Pay to Fire Engine Drivers

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)

REF: BPMS / DGOS / WZ 75(1/4/L)

Dated: 25.08.2015

To,
The Director OS (Pers),
Master General of Ordnance Branch,
IHQ of MOD (Army),
‘B’ Wing, Sena Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110011

 

Subject: Grant of higher Grade Pay to Fire Engine Drivers.

 

Respected Sir,

With due regards, your attention is invited to the structure of Fire Fighting Cadre in AOC which is notified as SRO 93 of 2006 and the hierarchy of this cadre is mentioned below:-

Subsequently, vide ID No. 2(1)/2009-D(Civ-I), dated 26.07.2010, MOD issued instructions for grant of upgraded pay scales to the Fire Fighting Staff as per 6th CPC recommendations which is mentioned below:-

Para 3 of the above MOD ID states that as for the four grade promotional scheme applicable to the civilian drivers as extended to the Fire Engine Drivers, they may continue where they exist at present and in remaining establishments, the posts of Fire Engine Drivers shall be merged with the Fire Fighting Cadre.

This upgradation and merger have disturbed the horizontal parity between Fire Fighting Cadre and Fire Engine Drivers as under:-

 

 

 To remove this disparity some of the incumbents (FEDs) filed O.A. (No.060/00443/2015) in Central Administrative Tribunal – Chandigarh. On 25.05.2015 the CAT Chandigarh disposed off the O.A. with direction to respondents to take a view on the pending representations of the applicants by passing reasoned and speaking order in accordance with Law and Rules within a period of 03 months.

 

In such circumstances, you are requested to consider the above in correct perspective and issue necessary instructions so that the horizontal disparity between Fire Fighting Cadre and Fire Engine Drivers may be removed without further delay.

Thanking you.

Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Source: BPMS

Submission of declaration Of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year- regarding

Submission of declaration Of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year- regarding

G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.21/2/2014-CS.I(PR/CMS), dated 25.08.2015

Subject: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013- Submission of declaration Of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year- regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 9.4.2015, 23.04.2015 and 16.7.2015 regarding declaration of assets and liabilities by CSS officers under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 and to state that vide Notification dated 27.04,2015 the last date for filing of returns by public servants as on 1.8.2014 and as on 31.3.2015 been extended to 15th October, 2015.

2. All CSS officers are requested to file the returns as on 1.8.2014 and for the year 2015 (as on 31.3.2015) online at cscms.nic.in at the earliest without waiting for the last date to approach to avoid rush and slowing down of the system at the last moment. All officers of US and above levels of CSS should also take a print out of the return filed online and submit to this Department duly signed.

3. Ministries/Departments are requested that the contents of this O.M, may be widely circulated among all CSS officers working under their control. They should also monitor and ensure that the returns are submitted by all officers within the stipulated period without fail through Web Based Cadre Management System.

sd/-
(V.Srinivasaragavan)
Under Secretary to the overnrnent of India

Authority: www.persmin.gov.in

Children of Government servants should study only in Government schools – Allahabad High Court

Children of Government servants should study only in Government schools – Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has issued strict orders that the children of government employees should study only at government schools.

A Public Interest Litigation was filed at the Allahabad High Court stating that in Uttar Pradesh, led by its Samajwadi party Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the government-run schools do not have sufficient teachers. The officials were not taking any steps to improve the standard of education in these schools and infrastructure was poor.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Sudhir Agarwal issued an order, excerpts of which are provided below:
All the government employees shall enroll their children only at government-run schools. The rule is applicable also to the representatives of the people, and the employees of the justice department. The state government can impose penalties to stop them from admitting their children to private schools.

The employees can be made to pay as penalty the sum that they had paid as fees to the private schools. The revenue thus generated can be added to the state exchequer. The Chief Secretary of the state was given six months to submit a report on this reform.

Source: http://www.cgstaffportal.in/

Draf Regulations for Retirement Advisers – PFRDA

Draf Regulations for Retirement Advisers – PFRDA

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority is in the process of drafting regulations for Retirement Advisers. Towards this end, the Authority has prepared a Concept Note which is being placed on the website of PFRDA for Stakeholders and public comments.

Concept Note on Introduction of Retirement Adviser

The detailed note under various subject headlines are…

1. Background
2. Retirement Planning
3. Retirement Adviser
4. Scope of Work of Retirement Adviser
5. Eligibility for Retirement Adviser
6. Application for Registration
7. Registration Fee
8. Exemption from registration and Certification
9. Period and Validity of Registration
10. Renewal of Registration
11. Suspension and Cancellation of Certificate of Registration
12. General Responsibilities and Obligations
13. Maintenance of records
14. Segregation of execution services
15. Appointment of Compliance Officer
16. Fees to be charged by the Retirement Adviser
17. Grievance Redressal
18. Penal provisions

For more details click here…
Authority: www.pfrda.org.in