FCI EMPLOYEES WHO ARE THE SYMBOLS OF FOOD SECURITY OF THE NATION OBSERVES BLACK DIWALI

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    FCI Employees who are the Symbols of Food Security of the nation observes black Diwali, over GOI and FCI Management decision on denial of  Wage Increase, Bonus and allowances. The General Secretary of FCI Employees Association informed situation to Shri Ramvilas Paswan, Honorable Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on his letter dated 07-11-18. We will continue with our stir till if the lackadaisical attitude of FCI Management and Anti Working class policies of GoI continues. Diwali festival is India's biggest and most significant celebration of every year. The five-day festival Diwali is not celebrated by FCI employees as well as labours who are the symbols of Food Security of the nation, due to denial of Productivity Linked Incentive (PLI) by FCI Management. In the history of FCI, it has not happened before. The productivity of Food Corporation of India has increased twofold compared to 1-1-2007. Even though, FCI management categorically denied the hard-working field employee’s PLI Payment w.e.f 2010-11 to till now. The GoI should take note that the current staff strength is below 45 % (approx) and due to the hardworking nature of current Category III employees and labours, the operations of FCI is not yet hindered. FCI management has not even released single rupee as an advance. Despite repeated representations and number of protests, the Management authorities have remained mute. This clearly shows the inhuman behaviour of FCI Management and GoI.

      Also, FCI Management unilaterally and illegitimately imposing financial restrictions on Category III & IV employee’s wages and allowances by fabricating their own bureaucratic vision as circulars. The Management unilaterally abolished advance pay on transfer, Natural Calamity advance and the advance of leave salary vide circular EP-24-2018-28 dated 05-11-2018. In a democratic country as a responsible union in FCI, we express a deep protest over this decision of FCI management.  

With regard to most waited wage revision, Even after 22 months from the due date and 3 months from GOI permission, the management of Food Corporation of India just for name sake conducted some negotiation meeting without recording any minutes. Management has not yet constituted a permanent committee for the negotiation process from Trade Unions side and Management side.  Also, Management’s silence on the important issue of employees i.e 5 Year Periodicity, Percentage based Fringe Benefit, Lease Accommodation, Removal of 50 per cent ceiling in the matter of PLI and implementation of minimum basic pay on par with Graduate post in the central government organization is a matter of serious concern to all of us.  

                

             Association noted that the wage revision of category I &II officers have already implemented on war foot basis and the discrimination in the matter has created deep frustration among the category III employees. During the last 11 years, they have not received any wage increase. During the last settlement the existing Cat III &IV employees who joined in the corporation after 01-01-2007 has got only 8% increase on their Basic Pay instead of 30% basic pay and the then 78.2% DA increase in their wages. Management also failed to incorporate 40% cafeteria allowance for Category III-IV employees even though GOI extended to all CPSEs employees including Food Corporation of India vide DPE OM dated 26-11-2008 and 01-04-2009. Hence the current employees are facing huge financial hardships now.

        

             The inordinate delay in the wage settlement will bring more hurdles in its implementation since the current period of Lok Sabha will end within 6 months. The issue will become more complicated if the Lok Sabha dissolves before its end of operation period. Uncertainty in the matter spoiled the career and life of FCI Category III employees who are the pillar of Food Corporation of India which provide food security to the nation. 

Published by FCI Employees Association (CITU)

Reg No:124/1984