TUs welcome Pay Commission, press for interim relief

New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) Central trade unions criticised the government for not announcing interim relief while deciding to set up the Sixth Pay Commission for 25 million central, state and central-undertaking employees.

Though the trade unions welcomed the government's ''belated decision'', trade unions CITU, AITUC, BMS and HMS said the employees should get an interim relief of at least Rs 1,000 per month till the new pay scales come into effect.

Talking to UNI, CITU President M K Pandhe said, ''We welcome the constitution of the Commission, which has been made possible under great struggle of workers. But the government has not announced interim relief, which has been always been the practice.'' BMS President Girish Awasthi said an interim relief of Rs 1,000 should be paid to each employee without further delay.

''The government should also not make any further delay in notifying the constitution of the Commission,'' he added.

On the terms of reference of the Commission, Dr Pandhe said he was ''unsure'' whether the government had included the suggestions of employees' associations and federations.

''The trade unions have already rejected the government's plea to curtail manpower and include certain unacceptable working conditions,'' he added.

AITUC General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said the Commission must look into the problems and hardships suffered by a large category of contract, quasi-contract and extra-departmental employees.

''The Commission should address their problems in a positive manner,'' said Mr Dasgupta, the leader of CPI MPs in the Lok Sabha.

AITUC Secretary D L Sachdev said the trade unions had been demanding inclusion in the terms of reference certain things relating to fixation of pay scale keeping in view the skill and performance of employees, professional hazards, proper assessment of technical personnel and fixation of pension for retiring employees.

HMS Secretary R A Mittal and Trade Union Coordination Centre Secretary G Devarajan demanded immediate announcement of interim relief and made a case for completion of the Commission report well in time.

The Commission recommendations directly benefit about ten million state government employees, four million central government staff and employees of central-government undertakings.

The Fifth Pay Commission set up in April 1994 had given its report in January 1997 and its recommendations had a financial implication of Rs 17,000 crore.

UNI KSA/FZ RP DS1625