The civilian employees of the defence installations of the country are up in arms against what they allege indifferent attitude of the Union Government for the plight of the workers.
The three unions for these employees- All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF), Indian National Defence workers Federation, and Bhartiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh have resolved to go on an indefinite strike, if their demands are not accepted soon.The working committee member of AIDEF, JC Chhimwal told The Pioneer that all three employee unions are demanding that the Permanent Negotiation Mechanism (PNM) at par with the railway ministry should be implemented in the Defense ministry also.
Similarly they are demanding that recognition rights of unions in some defense establishments should be given and retired defense civilians should be given the benefit the CSD facilities. Chhimwal said that all the above mentioned demands if accepted would go a long way in addressing the grievances of the workers. He said that the other demands of the unions are benefit of old pension scheme for those employed afterJanuary 1’ 2004 and cadre review which is pending for more than twenty years. Chhimwal said that on February 6’ 2014 agreement on many demands in the indefinite strike negotiation meeting was reached but till date the issue is pending.
He said that the employees of the defence installation are deeply concerned and there is feeling of let down by the Ministry of Ministry (MOD). The unions are now demanding an intervention of the Defence Minister Manohar Parikar on the issue otherwise they have threatened to go on an indefinite strike.