7th CPC: Demanding better pay hike, central govt employees to go on indefinite strike from July 11

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: As a last-ditch effort to get a better pay hike under the 7th Pay Commission, central government employees have decided to go on strike from July 11.

The government employees had protested 23 percent pay hike recommended by the 7th Pay Commission report released in November. The Finance Ministry had then set up an Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary to review the recommendations of the 7th pay commission.

The Secretary General of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers M Krishnan posted on the union's blog that employees have "decided to serve strike notice on June 9, 2016. Indefinite strike will commence from July 11".

The union has been demanding a minimum salary of Rs 26,000 as against Rs 18,000 recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission.

However, as per sources, the Empowered Committee of Secretaries, who is reviewing the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, is likely to propose a minimum salary anywhere between Rs 21,000 to Rs 24,000 per month.

The National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery, Staff-side has been seeking negotiated settlement with the government on the demands raised by the union.

"If government adopts delaying tactics or issue unilateral orders rejecting our demands, then confrontation shall become inevitable","M Krishnan had said earlier.

The Secretary "informed that Staff-Side has already made their stand clear to go on strike from April 11, 2016 if their demands are not considered and no amicable settlement happens", the Minutes said. 

Earlier, NJCA had planned to go on strike from April 11, but due to assembly election scheduled in five state, the strike was deferred to July 11.