The All India State Government Employees
Federation has called upon all the state government and public sector
employees and teachers to join the nation-wide strike on 29 September
to protect their own interest from the offensive of the government.
The strike has been called on 16-point demands and in protest against
the onslaught of the Central and state governments on the trade union
rights of the workers as well as employees. Withdrawal of move for
privatisation of pension is the most crucial demand of the trade union
organisations.
The privatisation move will deprive the employees and their dependent
family members from the age-old pension system, the biggest social
security measure for the employees, said the federation general
secretary, Mr Sukomal Sen.
The other important demands included recognising the right to strike,
stopping retrenchment, abolition of posts and contractual appointment
in the name of downsizing of government departments and state
government undertakings.
Besides these, filling up all vacancies, raising the interest rate on
provident fund and small savings from 8 per cent to 12 per cent, merger
of 50 per cent DA with the basic pay, regularisation of casual
employees and workers and
reintroduction of rehabilitation assistance scheme without any
restriction, were also demanded.
It may be noted all the employee organisations of the state have been
pressing for most of the above demands and threatened to launch
state-wide agitation if their demands are not fulfilled within a
timeframe.