Report of Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
On 14 October, 3 lakh defence workers organized demonstrations to mark national Protest Day, under the banner of the All India Defence Employees’ Federation (AIDEF). These were their main demands:
- Immediate publication of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Notification, with inclusion of the Terms of Reference proposed by the Staff Side of the National Council (Joint Consultative Machinery).
- Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for employees recruited on or after January 1, 2004.
- Grant of Compassionate Appointments to dependents of deceased Defence Civilian Employees by lifting the “illegal ban” imposed by the Ministry of Defence.
The Staff Side of the National Council—which comprises representatives of workers’ unions—had submitted Terms of Reference for the 8th Pay Commission ten months ago, in February 2025. However, the government has still not officially announced the 8th Pay Commission, which is needed to update the salaries and pensions of government employees starting from 1 January 2026.
AIDEF has also highlighted the serious issue of ban on compassionate appointments. Compassionate appointments offer employment to family members of deceased or incapacitated government employees, enabling families to maintain financial stability in tough times. Since the corporatization of ordnance factories, there has been a complete ban on compassionate appointments under the name of “manpower rationalization.” Over 6,500 families have been affected by this ban.
Defence workers are also raising their voice for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. C. Srikumar, General Secretary of AIDEF, said in an interview, “Out of more than 20 lakh NPS employees, less than one lakh have opted for UPS — a clear rejection by employees. The demand is simple — restore the non-contributory Old Pension Scheme.”
The withholding of wage and pension revision, compassionate appointments, and guaranteed pension is an attack on workers’ rights as well as financial security. Workers of all sectors should unitedly oppose such attacks.