Government workers and trade unions in Haryana are joining a nationwide protest called ‘Bharat Bandh’ on 16, 2024. They are teaming up with farmers to demand changes such as bringing back the old pension scheme, setting up an 8th pay commission, hiring more full-time employees, and making temporary positions permanent.
One reason for the protest is because workers are unhappy with the current pension system. Before December 2003, government employees got a monthly pension equal to half their final salary. But since 1, 2004, with the new pension system (NPS), they have to contribute part of their salary to a pension fund and get one lump sum when they retire.
Key trade unions such as the Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) Haryana, Hind Majdoor Sabha (HMS), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) are leading the decision to join the protest.
Together with farm unions and the Samyukta Kisan Sabha (SKS), they are rallying support for the Gramin Bharat Bandh.
State government workers want changes too. They want to dissolve Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam and have regular recruitment drives instead. They’re also concerned about job security and pay for temporary workers.
Adding to this, the government workers’ union, Sarv Karmchari Sangh, is also backing the cause. This shows that many sectors are unhappy with government policies.