8th Pay Commission: NC-JCM Secretary Advocates for Minimum Fitment Factor of 2.57
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Synopsis
On March 1, NC-JCM Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra insisted that the fitment factor for the 8th Pay Commission should be at least 2.57, echoing the 7th Pay Commission's stance, to ensure better salary hikes for central government employees amidst rising living costs.
Key Takeaways
- Fitment factor must be at least 2.57.
- Salary hikes for central government employees are under discussion.
- The fitment factor influences salary and pension revisions.
- Inflation and modern expenses necessitate a higher fitment factor.
- Former finance secretary claims 2.86 is unrealistic.
New Delhi, March 1 (NationPress) The fitment factor for the 8th Pay Commission should be no less than 2.57, the same figure utilized in the 7th Pay Commission, or potentially greater, stated Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary (Staff Side) of the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM).
He further mentioned that it should not drop below what was suggested in the previous pay commission.
Conversations regarding salary increases for central government employees have intensified following the announcement of the 8th Pay Commission last month.
"I firmly believe that the fitment factor... must be at least 2.57, or even above that," he expressed during an interview with NDTV Profit.
This fitment factor is essential for determining the adjustments in base salaries and pensions.
If the 8th Pay Commission decides on a fitment factor of 2.57, central government employees may anticipate a salary increase of 157 percent, as indicated by reports.
In 2016, the 7th Pay Commission proposed a fitment factor of 2.57, resulting in a significant rise in the minimum salary from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000.
Elaborating on the need for a higher fitment factor, Mishra highlighted that the 7th Pay Commission established the 2.57 figure based on the 15th Indian Labour Conference (ILC) resolution of 1957 and Aykroyd's formula for determining a minimum living wage.
Nonetheless, Mishra underscored that current living expenses, including internet bills and other essentials, are not adequately addressed by these outdated calculations.
"Assisting elderly parents is both an ethical and legal obligation under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2022, hence family units should be recognized as five instead of three," Mishra stated.
Considering ongoing inflation and evolving economic conditions, he stressed the necessity for a higher fitment factor to secure a reasonable standard of living for employees.
However, former finance secretary Subhash Garg, in an interview with a news channel, dismissed this demand as impractical.
He noted that requesting a fitment factor of 2.86 is akin to "asking for the moon" and suggested a figure closer to 1.92 instead.
