Bhubaneswar: At a time when the Centre is yet to take a final call on the demand of the Central government employees to hike their minimum pay, the Railway employees' union has called for a 72-hour relay hunger strike protesting non-implementation of the provisions of the 7th pay commission.
As per the statement of the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) AIRF’s meeting with the government yield no result following which it has taken the decision to go on hunger strike.
"Despite requests to the government of India to consider the demands of the Central Government Employees -- improvement in minimum wage and fitment factor after implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, provision of guaranteed pension and family pension to all the NPS (National Pension Scheme) covered employees, irrespective of their date of appointment...contractorisation leading towards wholesale privatisation, no fruitful outcome has emerged as yet despite lapse of around two years' precious time," the statement read.
AIRF in its meetings of the General Council and Working Committee, held on March 13-14, 2018, here decided to stage a 'Mass Relay Hunger Strike' for 24 hours for three consecutive days - at all the branches of the affiliated unions of the federation all over India, Business Today reported.
Clearance of Minimum Wage Amendment
On the other hand, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government on Tuesday cleared the Delhi government's minimum wage amendment.
Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal informed about the development through a Twitter message.
Kejriwal tweeted, "Finally, central government gives its approval after several months. This will act as a strong deterrent against the employers who do not pay full minimum wages. Delhi government will take strong action against such people."
It is worth mentioning that as per the Delhi government's minimum wage amendment provision, a jail term and a penalty of Rs 20,000 on employers has been imposed if they are caught not paying minimum wages.