Government and Railway Employees Launch Serial Hunger Strike Demanding Restoration of Old Pension Scheme

In an unprecedented move, government and railway employees, including defense personnel, teachers, and production units, have commenced a serial hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, and their respective administrative offices. This collective action is a result of the decision made during the Steering Committee meeting of the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS).

Key Points:

• The hunger strike, initiated on January 8, is slated to continue until January 11, 2024.
• The Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS) includes a broad spectrum of government and railway employees, emphasizing the significance of restoring the old pension scheme.
• Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convenor of JFROPS and General Secretary of AIRF, addressed the protestors at Jantar Mantar, highlighting the pivotal nature of reinstating the Old Pension Scheme for central and state government employees.
• Mishra pointed out that despite numerous protests and demonstrations, the government has not addressed the issue adequately. The hunger strike serves as a continued expression of discontent until the demand for the old pension is met.
• The movement, organized under the banner of AIRF (All India Railwaymen’s Federation), is not limited to New Delhi. Similar hunger strikes are being conducted at administrative offices of AIRF across the country.
• Shiva Gopal Mishra stressed the importance of the Old Pension Scheme for employees, providing social security in their old age. The government, he asserted, needs to acknowledge and address the concerns of its employees.
• The hunger strike involves a significant number of railway employees and government workers across various sectors, underscoring the widespread discontent regarding the demand for the restoration of the old pension.
• Leaders such as CGHS President Jaydev Dahiya, Confederation’s Giriraj Singh, Rajeev Sharma, Divisional Secretary of NRMU Delhi Division Anoop Sharma, Headquarters Sanjeev Saini, Zonal Secretary AIRF LN Pathak, and other prominent figures are actively participating in the sequential fast, demonstrating a united front in the pursuit of their demands.

As the hunger strike unfolds, the government is being given one last chance to address the concerns raised by the employees before the potential issuance of a notice for a general strike, a move that could have widespread implications across various sectors.