Over 30,000 Govt Employees Conduct ‘Warning Rally’ in Delhi, Raise Demands for Better Service Terms

Over 30,000 state and central government employees protested in Delhi on 3 November, demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the repeal of the PFRDA(Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) Act, better service benefits, and job security.

Condemning the government's policies on privatization and the National Monetisation Pipeline, the employees termed the protest a 'Warning Rally' to the Central Government. The protest action also raised the demand to control price hike and to curb communal polarisation.

The protest gathering at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi was jointly organized by All India State Government Employees' Federation (AISGEF), the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers (CCGEW), the School Teachers' Federation of India (STFI), and the All India Pensioners' Federation (AIPF). Retirees also participated in the protest, demanding timely pension revisions.

Photo - Members of various unions participate in the protest

The protesting employees warned that they would intensify their country-wide movement if the central government did not fulfill their demands. Over 500 participants from Tamil Nadu and 2000 from Kerala took part in the protest.

Photo - A group of employees from Kerala joining the protest at Ramlila Maidan with placards and banners.

Speaking to Kanal, M A Ajith, General Secretary of the Federation of State Government Employees' Organizations (FSETO) Kerala, said that the protest was the largest(by government employees) in recent times, with participants from all over the country, including new regions like the North-East states. He said that the policy issues raised by the employees needed to be resolved urgently.

"Government is considered the ideal employer. If the government itself is not concerned about the welfare of its employees, what would be the scenario in the private sector? Implementing ill practices like contract labour, delaying salary/pension revision, crack down on trade unions, derecognition of trade unions etc in government services will eventually give private employers the green signal to enforce more rampant anti-employee policies," Ajith said.

Photo - Protesters from Karnataka

The protesters also pressed the need to resist the moves from the government to restrict trade unions in the service sector. The Government of India had derecognised two postal unions namely All India Postal Employees Union and National Federation of Postal Employees, in the month of April 2023. This action was allegedly taken based on complaints from Bharatiya Postal Employees Association, an affiliate of the RSS’ Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh. However, the government has maintained that the derecognition is ‘due to irregular funding and violation of multiple provisions’. Similarly, action was taken against India Space Research Organisation(ISRO) Staff Association as well. The Staff Association has consistently opposed the privatisation of ISRO centres. Condemning such moves, M A Ajith said “the attempts to derecognise the unions democratically elected by the employees through referendum are to be opposed at any cost”. “It should be considered a denial of the basic right of the employees to organise”- he added.

This recent protest follows a similar demonstration that took place on 10 August. As the government employees continue to press for their demands, the nation anticipates the government's response to these compelling calls for action.