The government has notified doubling of the limit of tax-free gratuity to Rs 20 lakh in private sector as well as all other psu sector like bank and other under taking co. But it is totally silent on effective date for payment. It says that act has come into force on 29th of March 2018. It appears to me that enhanced amount of gratuity will be payable to only those employees who retire on or after 29th March 2018. Let us however wait till final circular comes out.
The notification follows changes in the Payment of Gratuity Act which had empowered the government to fix the ceiling of the retirement benefit through an executive order.
The amendment bill approved by Parliament earlier in the month had also empowered the government to fix the period of maternity leave.
Last time ceiling was revised from 01.01.2006 for central government employees but staff of banks and other establishment got this benefit from May 2010. Due this employees who retired from services from January 2006 to April 2010 were not paid enhanced gratuity. This was totally a step towards discrimination and injustice.
Unfortunately aggrieved staff and their trade union leaders digested this dose of injustice .Even a Mother does not feed her lovely child until he or she cries. This is a natural law. As such government took it as right to allow discriminatory treatment for various class of employees who deserve uniformity in matters like gratuity and pension.
Unfortunately aggrieved staff and their trade union leaders digested this dose of injustice .Even a Mother does not feed her lovely child until he or she cries. This is a natural law. As such government took it as right to allow discriminatory treatment for various class of employees who deserve uniformity in matters like gratuity and pension.
Some people are cursing BJP and some are cursing Narendra Modi Prime Minister of the country. Some are threatening that they will not cast vote in favour of BJP in 2019 as if other parties have promised them to enhance their salaries and perks by 100%.
Some left minded employees who are called as protector of bank staff are talking against FRDI Bill or against privatisation of banks or against imagine mergers plan. They ignore key demands like uniformity in hike in wages or in pension or in gratuity . It is only because they are selfish and more often than not use bankers in fulfilling their political agenda only. Old bankers know it better.
Some left minded employees who are called as protector of bank staff are talking against FRDI Bill or against privatisation of banks or against imagine mergers plan. They ignore key demands like uniformity in hike in wages or in pension or in gratuity . It is only because they are selfish and more often than not use bankers in fulfilling their political agenda only. Old bankers know it better.
Therefore I disagree with their senseless and mindless conclusion that this government is against working class and hence should be voted out. This may be agenda of defeated politicians but not that of bankers. Bankers have to and should focus on their demand only whosoever may be leading the government. Aggrieved section of staff cannot afford swallow the poison of injustice only to take revenge in next election. Moreover government cannot afford to be insensitive toward absolutely genuine demands of working class people.
Trade unions are only legal and authorised body to talk on behalf of bank staff and none others. These leaders did not protest in the year 2010 when UPA GOVT committed sin of denying enhanced gratuity to bankers who retired from BANK or private companies during period 2006 to 2010. Once it is accepted without protest from any corner for years , rule of injustice becomes a practice. This government too committed the same sin this time by denying enhanced gratuity to bankers who retired ftom 1.1.2016 to 29.03.2018
There is no direct role of government or in fact very little role to play as regards wage hike pertaining to bank or insurance staff is concerned. In fact this is the first government in history of bank bipartite settlement which took initiative at its own two years before the due date of Bipartite Settlement to ensure timely finalization and timely execution of wage accord for bank employees .
Unfortunately UFBU and IBA as usual were in deep slumber for last two years and in fact they are still sleeping despite all humiliating postings on social sites against them. Members of We Bankers are also on war path but it is also confined in a very very small and negligible section of bankers Need of the hour is that all sections of bsnk staff join hands and start an agitation till justice is achieved.
In fact all staff of all departments , banks, insurance companies, PSUs, pvt companies etc who are not coming under ambit of 7th pay commission are cheated and aggrieved because of discriminatory change in gratuity law.
Some staff have initiated petition in change.org and asking for more and more signatures. This will serve no purpose at all. Such petitions never reach the addressees. This gives gain to promoters of the site called as change.org. Such petitions have been in circulation since long on many different subjects. Government is unaware of such petitions and hence these petitions do not result in fruitful solution.
To get sucess in desired target/ goal , all trade unions will have to call indefinite strike atter giving the due notice or without notice. Only registered unions representing considerably number of staff can give a strike call. And without indefinite strike we cannot stop discriminatory acts of any government.
It is observed that government does not understand and act till the agitation become restless, violent and disturbing peace of society. Government does not come in senses till all TV channels start speaking against government and till it smells severe erosion in its vote bank. I DO not advocate such disturbing agitation but the agitation must be whole hearted, powerful, consistent and supported by every staff of the country who feel cheated by the ssid discriminatory act.
UPA government had cheated staff in 2010 by denying benefits of enhanced gratuity who retired from 2006 till 2010. Similarly this government has denied enhanced gratuity to those staff who retired in between 1.1.16 to 29.03.2018. A little better this govt is .
If Congress party had supported the bill this could have been passed in 2017 itself. We are sufferer due to non functioning of parliament too. Parties are more interested in their survival than on merits and demerits of a bill passed in Parliament .
Without strong protest and consistent agitation by bankers along with other aggrieved staff groups, there is no hope at all for any change in act.
Only trade unions are authorised to talk to IBA and GOI on behalf of bank staff. Unfortunately IBA and UFBU will seldom take any hard step for justice. They are more interested in their political and self interest oriented motives. It is pity that lakh of bank staff are silent spectators of their Chirharan.
When this government can do something for central govt employees without any such demand from central govt employees, they can do so for others too. It all depends whether we are weeping in closed room or crying loudly before our trade unions who are at the root of àll such discriminatory acts. We bankers have to remain positive towards present government and there is no reason that this government will ignore us like past UPA government
Bank staff normally cry on Facebook and in WhatsApp groups regarding injustice meted out to them. They post abusing quotes snd pictures on Facebook against government or against Modi. Such abusing quotes will never prove fruitful. They will have to build pressure on their leaders and simultaneously continue their war against injustice on social sites. They may resign from their unions in mass if needed. They will have to force their leaders by hook or by crook to start mass and effective action against injustice quickly.
I hope leaders of various organisations of retired and working staff will also shed their personal and organisational ego and take United action to stop reign of injustice perpetrated by this government. I have full confidence that Modi government will understand it and take appropriate corrective action soon. Need of the hour is make them aware about defects of the act passed.
Do Not Force Employees To Approach Supreme Court
Do Not Force Employees To Approach Supreme Court
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