All India Trade Union Congress Press Release - March 23, 2023

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

Press Release

The following statement was issued to the press by AITUC Secretariat today-23rd March 2023

AITUC condemns the draconian and vindictive Govt. Instructions to ban the struggle of Central Govt. Employees against the No Guarantee NPS !

The entire Central Govt. Employees, Paramilitary Forces, State Govt. Employees and Teachers are in a nationwide movement against the no guarantee pension scheme introduced by the BJP Govt. in 2003. After 19 years of its implementation the NPS is totally exposed and the employees are just getting Rs.2000/ to Rs.3000/ as pension after contributing 10% from their wages every month. Govt. Employees have got every right to fight against this injustice and discrimination. The Modi Govt. has once again shown its cruel face towards its own employees by issuing an order on the 20th March 2023 threatening the employees of dire consequences if they participate in any Anti NPS agitation. The United movement of the Central Govt. Employees and State Govt. Employees under the banner of JFROPS (NJCA) has shaken the Modi Govt.

The Central Government’s order is especially discriminatory because the government is reducing corporate taxes in a big way. Only recently, because the State Government employees went on strike in Maharashtra, did the BJP Government assured them of forming a committee to look into the question of granting them the OPS.

Instead of respecting the sentiments of the Govt. Employees who are the backbone of the Govt. Machinery and who only served the Country and the people during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, is resorting to draconian measures.

AITUC condemns this anti Employees approach of the Modi Govt. and demands to withdraw the draconian OM dated 20th March 2023, and to immediately agree to the demand of Govt. employees by restoring the guaranteed Old Pension Scheme.

AITUC reiterates its full support and solidarity with the Central and State Govt. Employees in all their struggles to achieve the right of old pension scheme, since pension is not a bounty and not paid out of the sweet will of the Employer. It’s the right of each and every employee.

Let us pledge on this martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru to fight back the anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-national policies of the Government.

Amarjeet Kaur

General Secretary
AITUC

NPS = National Pension System ]