By V.A.N. Namboodiri, Patron, National Coordination Committee of Central Govt. Pensioners Association (NCCPA)
56 years are over after the great historic one-day token strike of the Central Government (CG) employees which took place on 19th September 1968.
It was a strike which shook the government and the country. More than 30 lakh of CG employees participated, bringing the country to a standstill. The P&T, railway and other workers with their strategic position ensured that the entire machinery of the central government was paralyzed.
It was a struggle for the dignity of labour, for the 15th ILC approved Need Based Minimum Wage, for full neutralisation in cost of living through Dearness Allowance and such other demands. The demands were well understood by the workers despite false propaganda of the government.
The Indira Gandhi Government used the hated Essential Service Maintenance Act and other such anti-worker ordinances to suppress the struggle, instead of conceding the just demands of the workers. The workers did not flinch; they had the bitter experience of the 1960 strike which was treated as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and tried to be suppressed by then then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The workers had understood the anti-worker policy of the government, which was only to support the rich and ignore the justified demands of the workers.
It is to the credit of the communist Government of Kerala, headed by Com. E.M.S. Namboodiripad, who declared that his government will not use the ESMA against the striking government employees, despite warning of the central government that failure to implement ESMA may result in dismissal of his government.
Thousands of workers were arrested, jailed, terminated, suspended, dismissed and heavily victimised. CG employee unions were derecognised. The heroism shown by the ordinary workers was beyond description.
Many years have passed since then. The workers are now getting DA automatically, whenever there is an increase in the cost of living. Strike victimisation has come down. Usually only dies-non is issued for participation in the strike, except in isolated cases. But still we are yet to get Minimum Wage implemented as per Dr. Akroyd formula which is around Rs.26,000 at present.
The present Modi government has completely ignored the just demands of the CG employees and workers. Demands like restoration of Old pension Scheme, appointment of VIII CPC which is due, additional pension after 65/70/75 years, increase in FMA, etc. are denied without any justification. Hard-won rights of the workers are taken away to favour the corporates and the rich.
On this 56th anniversary of the historic strike, we pay homage to the 17 martyrs of the 1968 September 19th Strike, who sacrificed their lives for the future generations. The great leaders who led the strike, the workers who implemented the call – we remember all of them, some still in the movement, all of them retired and some no more with us. We will always remember those comrades who were part of this great struggle and contributed for a better future for the working class. Their inspiring memory will certainly strengthen our future struggle for justice to the CG Employees and Workers!