By Admin 
8th Pay Commission: There is a continuous discussion going on between the central employees and pensioners regarding the 8th Pay Commission. The biggest demand of employee organizations is regarding increase in minimum wage. Meanwhile, a formula has come into discussion which is directly related to the food plates of the employees. In fact, the National Joint Consultation Mechanism, in its memorandum to the government, has demanded to make the 3490 calorie formula of the Indian Council of Medical Research the basis for salary determination. Employees’ organizations say that if the government really wants to improve the standard of living of the employees, then while fixing the minimum wage, their needs will have to be kept in mind and the first need among them is food and nutrition.
What is ICMR’s 3490 calorie formula?
ICMR is the leading health research organization of the country, which from time to time pays attention to the nutritional needs of the people. According to this, an average working person requires about 3490 calories of energy per day. These calories are considered necessary not only to fill the stomach, but also to keep the body healthy, maintain working capacity and fulfill nutritional needs. Employee organizations argue that when the government decides the minimum wage, it should see whether the employee is able to buy adequate and nutritious food for his family or not. If the salary is so low that even the basic needs of the family are not met, then the purpose of salary increase remains unfulfilled.
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What is the relation between salary and food plate?
At first glance this question may seem strange that what does the food plate have to do with the salary. But if we look at the history of pay commissions, it becomes clear that the basic needs of the employees have always been taken as the basis while determining the minimum wage. These needs include food, clothing, housing, education, health, transportation and other necessary expenses. Employee organizations say that at present inflation has increased much more than before. In such a situation, employee expenses cannot be assessed correctly using old standards. This is why there is now a demand to include ICMR’s modern nutrition standards. Through this, it will be found out how much a family has to spend on food every month to live a healthy life and the minimum salary should be decided on that basis.
Why the demand for minimum wage of Rs 69 thousand?
In the memorandum given to the government, JCM has demanded to increase the minimum salary for central employees to around Rs 69,000 per month. Employee organizations say that the current salary structure has lagged far behind the rising inflation. His argument is that in today’s time, not only ration and food have become expensive, but expenses like children’s education, treatment, rent, electricity-water, internet, mobile and travel have also increased rapidly. In such a situation, employees need more salary to live a respectable life.
Hopes are also pinned on fitment factor
Fitment factor also remains a big issue in the discussion of 8th Pay Commission. Fitment factor is the coefficient on the basis of which the existing basic salary of the employees is increased. Although there has been no official announcement from the government yet, but the employee organizations want that the fitment factor should be such that there can be a big increase in the minimum wage. It is believed that if the government considers the demands of employee organizations, then a good increase in the basic salary can be seen.
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Why is this debate important for employees?
Government employees say that with the increase in inflation, the cost of living has also increased rapidly. In such a situation, just a minor salary increase will not suffice. They want that the method of salary determination should also change with time. The demand to include ICMR’s 3490 calorie formula is part of this thinking.
What is the stance of the government?
At present, there has been no official response from the government on ICMR’s demand of 3490 calorie formula or Rs 69 thousand minimum wage. Many recommendations and demands related to the 8th Pay Commission are currently under discussion. The final decision will come only after the recommendations of the commission and the approval of the government. Therefore, it is too early to say whether all the demands of the employees will be accepted or not.
Lakhs of employees have their eyes on the 8th Pay Commission
Lakhs of central employees and pensioners of the country have high expectations from the 8th Pay Commission. They hope that this time not just salary increase, but their actual needs will also be taken into consideration. If modern parameters like ICMR’s nutritional standards are included in salary determination, it can prove to be a great relief for the employees. This will not only increase their income, but will also strengthen their economic security amid rising inflation.