Report by Mazdoor Ekta Committee (MEC) correspondent
Thousands of employees from across the country organized a “Pension Jai Ghosh Maha Rally” at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on 17 November 2024, demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Employees of the central government, state governments, union territories and autonomous departments from all over the country participated in this rally.
Government employees across the country have been continuing their struggle for the demand of OPS. As part of this struggle, protests were organized at all district headquarters of the country on 26 September 2024. Members of the All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) had pledged on 2 October that they will not rest until OPS is restored.
More than 91 lakh government employees across the country are running a nationwide movement under the banner of “All India NPS Employees’ Federation” (AINPSEF) for the restoration of old pension. The name of this movement is “National Mission for Old Pension Scheme India.” Government employees are not satisfied with the “Unified Pension Scheme” (UPS) recently introduced by the central government by reforming the New Pension Scheme (NPS). Various workers’ unions of the railways are also raising their voice against UPS.
The Federation has demanded from the central government that pension should be provided after 20 years of service instead of after 25 years, and GPF should be recognized on employees’ contribution, so that employees receive their contribution back in full at the time of retirement. The employees say that they do not accept any reform in NPS or any new pension scheme.
AIDEF General Secretary Shri C. Srikumar said that employees have decided to restart their agitation against UPS. The contributory pension scheme UPS will be strongly opposed. Central and state government employees have been fighting against the new pension scheme for the last 20 years. The only option left for government employees is to join UPS or remain in NPS.
File photo: Rally against NPS at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, on 1 October 2023
Manjit Singh Patel, President of National Mission for Old Pension Scheme India, said that the support of 50% salary as pension should be guaranteed after 20 years of service. Employees’ contribution should be returned with interest, i.e., like GPF. The entire amount should be returned to employees upon retirement, VRS, or compulsory retirement.
We must remember that pension is a form of social security that an employee receives after they retire from work at a certain age or due to disability or other circumstances. Pension should be a universal right and should apply to all working people. Pension should ensure a dignified life for every employee when they are not able to work and the amount should be constantly increased to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Most of the working people of our country are not entitled to any pension or social security after retirement. They have contributed to the society through their hard work when they were employed. They contribute to the state exchequer through direct and indirect taxes. It is the duty of the society to ensure that they are taken care of in old age or when they get injured and are unable to work. The demand for universal pension for all retired employees is a legitimate demand of the working class.