7th Pay Commission: Will Centre revise fitment factor for wage hike of Central Government employees?
New Delhi, May 7: As per the modifications in 7th Pay Commission approved by Union Cabinet for Defence personnel, the salaries of Lt Colonels and Brigadiers could be revised using the fitment factor between 2.57 to 2.67. The decision came after the unions had complained over the index of rationalisation, recommended by the Justice (retd) AK Mathur-led 7th pay panel.
The changes approved by Centre for Defence personnel creates speculation whether the fitment factor would also be revised for other central government employees as well. The National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), which is leading the 7CPC negotiation on behalf of employees, have demanded the government to increase the fitment factor from 2.57 to 3.86.
On being asked by India.com, whether Centre could increase the fitment factor for central government employees akin to the manner in which it raised the index of rationalisation for a section of defence personnel, NJCA chief Shiv Gopal Mishra said, “If they increase the fitment factor to 2.67, then the minimum wage would be Rs 20,000. Although, we have demanded Rs 26,000 as the minimum salary, we are not rigid on it. The matter is negotiable.”
The minimum salary, following the implementation of 7th Pay Commission in July 2016, was increased to Rs 18,000 from Rs 7,000. However, the unions were unimpressed, demanding Rs 26,000 as the minimum salary, considering the impact of inflation.
According to a top union official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the government would increase only the ‘minimum salary’ using a fitment factor in the range of 2.67 to 3.16, depending upon the pay band. The fitment factor is unlikely to be revised for wages of all central government employees.
The Confederation of Central Government Employees, which is planning to hold a mass dharna on May 23, has demanded the government to increase the minimum wages at the earliest to Rs 26,000. The Confederation has further demanded the regularisation of all contractual workers in order to provide them the minimum salary as per 7CPC recommendations.
Read at: India.com News
COMMENTS
Pre-1996 pensioners who are worst affected hv not been given any benefit by the Govt though,7th CPC recommended OROP. We hv been thrown some alms as MF
. I remember this day of 1974 being the first day of CG employees famous strike. I salute the victims of the great upsurge. I'm grateful the leaders who are fighting with this Govt. Good sense should dawn on the FM and Babus.
The fitment factor for those in grade pay of Rs 10000 was shown as 2.70 in the pay matrices recommended by 7th pay commission. Where it stands now?