Press Release

FCI Employees are on Struggle path.

FCI Employees Association called Work to rule w.e.f 15-11-18. Agitation by FCI employees may affect PDS distribution and Food grain movement though out country.    

The FCI Employees Association (CITU) and other FCI staff unions called work-to-rule agitation due to non settlement of wage revision in respect of category III&IV employees and other pending demands. The work to rule agitation has already started in some northern states and from 15.11.18 the entire staffs throughout the country in FCI will observe work to rule demanding justice to their legitimate demands. The work-to-rule agitation of staff of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), could substantially impact inter-state and intra-state movement of foodgrain.  

Around 19,000 of FCI's 22,000 employees have been part of the stir, demanding to Save FCI by sanctioning adequate amount of subsidy for FCI’s operations and Wage revision for Category III&IV employees among other things. During the observance of Work to Rule, the FCI Employees will not attend Overtime posting/Holiday posting in all places of Food Corporation of India.

The Food Corporation of India operations is under serious threat. The Subsidy received every year by FCI was lower than claimed for from the GoI. On an average, only 67 percent of subsidy claimed was released by the GoI over the last five years because of which FCI had to borrow from other costlier means of finance. As on today FCI is working with below 45 % staff strength. We consider that this move is for dissolution of FCI offices and reducing the responsibilities of the FCI and it is a serious threat to the food security of the nation and PDS system. FCI meets its requirement of funds mainly through subsidy therefore we also demand timely release of subsidy to carry out its main activities of food grains procurement, storage, distribution and to meet other administrative costs.

The anti working class policy of Central Government and inhuman attitude of FCI management has resulted deep disrupt in the industrial harmony at Food Corporation of India. The wage revision of FCI Category III & IV employees is due w.e.f 1-1-2017. Revision of their wages happened 12 years before and at that time the current employees who joined after 1-1-2007 has got only 8% increment when DPE was allowed 30 % benefits. FCI management has categorically denied their legitimate demands one by one. The last was denial of their Productivity Linked incentive. The current productivity of FCI has increased by more than four times compare to 1-1-2007. The turnover per employee on 2006-7 FY was 1598.2 MT now it has been increased into 7000 MT in 17-18.

This 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. This year Management has not even released a single rupee as advance. In the history of FCI, it has not happened ever before. Therefore the FCI and its Employees Marked it us a black day and observed black Diwali. The employees will definitely harden their stand in the coming weeks by observing work to rule at first phase of agitation.

In November and December, evacuation of paddy is more as this is the peak procurement season. Therefore, If employees will not attend overtime / holiday posting management face big difficulties in managing food grain movements through railway rakes. Inter-state and intra-state movement of foodgrain is crucial for smooth operation of a nationwide PDS. The demands if not settled the Association is compelled to intensify the struggles in the second phase.