7th Pay Commission: Labour Day message from NJCA – ‘Section of Government employees still being ruthlessly exploited’

"The exploitation is akin to the conditions prevailing for workers before May 1, 1886. Railway sector employees are forced to work 12 hours a day."

New Delhi, May 1: 7th Pay Commission, the once-in-a-decade pay hike for Central Government employees, failed to satisfy the employee workforce, claims the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), the top union body. Apart from the delay in allowance hike, the non-addressal of some of the most basic demands in relation to minimum wages, pay parity and capping of working hours, have not been addressed. Sending out a message on Labour Day, NJCA convenor Shiv Gopal Mishra said, “A section of Government employees are still being ruthlessly exploited.”

“The exploitation is akin to the conditions prevailing for workers before May 1, 1886. Railway sector employees are forced to work 12 hours a day. Their wages are not revised in an adequate manner,” said Mishra, who is also the general secretary of All India Railwaymen Federation (AIRF), while speaking to India.com.

The statements of Mishra came in the backdrop of the two-day hunger protest observed by All-India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) employees in the past week. A major section of the staff participated in the fast for 36 hours. The employees demanded the Railway Ministry to reduce their working hours, and ensure pay parity. They also demanded the timely implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations in respect to allowances. No official response was issued by the Railway Ministry to the hunger protest of AILRSA.

Apart from the Railway personnel, Mishra asserted that the unorganised sector workers and contractual labourers are the worst exploited. “The scope to raise their plight is limited. We have to launched an organised form of movement to improve their working and living conditions. Every worker and labourer should be treated with dignity. It is the duty of Government to ensure he is provided with sufficient amount of wage to live a life f dignity and fulfill the essential needs of his family,” the veteran unionist said.