People's Democracy

  AISGEF To Organise National Struggle Against New Pension Scheme

THE All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) has decided to organise a nationwide struggle against the so-called New Pension Scheme, which was placed by the UPA government in parliament. 

This was decided by the national executive of the AISGEF in its two-day meeting at Bangalore on April 24-25, 2005, stated federation chairman R G Karnik and general secretary Sukomal Sen in a statement.

The AISGEF felt this new scheme is being pushed in order to privatise pension system of the employees and teachers appointed by the central government and the state government. It said along with the state government employees, teachers of the country would also join this struggle. It sought the cooperation of the central government employees’ confederation also in order to build a united movement.

The following five important and common issues were identified by the national executive for joint discussion with central government employees confederation to be held at Delhi on May 17, 2005.

1. Right to Strike should be granted by enactment or ratifying the relevant ILO Convention.

2. Privatised Pension Scheme should be withdrawn forthwith by the central government and some state governments where the scheme has been introduced.

3. Stopping privatisation, downsizing, retrenchment and outsourcing of government functions.

4. To fill up about 14-15 lakh of vacant posts lying in the state government departments, schools, colleges, etc., and in the central government departments, so that jobless youths can get jobs and people get better service.

5. Raising of GPF interest rate from present 8 per cent to 12 per cent as was earlier.

The AISGEF clarified that this struggle would also be a continuation of their movement for making the right to strike a fundamental right. “If necessary another nationwide strike would be organised for achieving these demands”, it stated. 

The AISGEF urged upon the employees and teachers to organise state level conventions and struggles and be prepared for a countrywide struggles to settle the above issues.

The AISGEF appealed to all trade unions for active support to these demands and struggles that is going to be unleashed. (INN)