Bokaro News: DPE Takes Action on Pay Revision Demand for SAIL Non-Executive Workers

Bokaro, November 06, 2024: The BSL Unrepresented Employees Union has raised a demand to standardize the pay revision process for non-executive employees across all SAIL units, mirroring the approach used by other Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). In a letter addressed to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the union highlighted the need for equitable pay revisions for SAIL employees. Responding to the union’s request, Albert Tete, Section Officer at DPE, acknowledged the issue, stating that the ministry is currently reviewing the matter. The next pay revision committee meeting will discuss this request further.

DPE’s Response to Pay Revision Request

In the letter, the BSL Unrepresented Employees Union pointed out the disparity in pay revision processes across PSUs. While the pay revision for executive officers is carried out by a dedicated pay revision committee formed by the DPE, non-executive employees are left to the discretion of PSU management and non-elected union leaders. This system has often led to employee dissatisfaction, with the lack of a clear structure resulting in unfavorable outcomes for the workers. The union emphasized that these issues frequently lead to strikes and protests within PSUs, disrupting operations and leading to financial losses for the institutions.

Call for Pay Revision Committee for Non-Executive Employees

The BSL Unrepresented Employees Union has been pushing for the formation of a dedicated pay revision committee for non-executive workers, similar to the one for executive officers, in order to ensure fair and transparent wage adjustments. The union’s leaders believe that if a pay revision committee is established for non-executive employees, the recommendations from this committee would allow workers to directly benefit from decisions made in the same way as their executive counterparts. Hariom, the president of BSL Unrepresented Employees Union (BKAS), stated that such a move would address the longstanding issue of pay disparities and enhance the welfare of SAIL’s workforce.

The Pay Revision Debate Across PSUs

The issue of fair pay revisions has been a recurring concern across public sector enterprises. The current system, which allows for the wage revision of non-executive employees to be managed by union leaders and PSU management, has led to frequent disagreements and strikes. These protests not only disrupt operations but also incur significant costs in meetings and negotiations with union leaders. The formation of a dedicated committee, as per the union’s request, would streamline the process and potentially lead to better outcomes for the workers.

As the DPE considers this request, the future of non-executive employees’ pay revision in SAIL and other PSUs hangs in the balance. The upcoming pay revision committee meeting is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of workers’ wages across these organizations.