8th Pay Commission: Amid preparations for the Eighth Pay Commission, a central government employees’ organization has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding major changes to the recently issued Terms of Reference (ToR) . The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, an organization representing over 800,000 employees from 130 departments, has placed eight demands before the government. These demands include 20 percent interim relief, pension schemes, and retirement benefits.
What are included in the 8 demands?
1. 20% interim relief sought:
The employees have appealed to the government to immediately implement the 20% interim relief. The organization wrote in the letter, “There is a delay in the formation and implementation of the 8th CPC. Therefore, the 20% interim relief should be granted immediately to compensate for the losses caused by inflation and delays, and to boost the morale of the 12 million central employees.”
2. Effective date to be added to the ToR:
The union has demanded that the implementation of the 8th CPC recommendations from January 1, 2026, be added to the terms of reference. The organization wrote in the letter, “It is natural and appropriate that the 8th CPC recommendations should be implemented from January 1, 2026. Please include this in the ToR.”
3. Pension revision should be included in different pension schemes:
The union has sought to add this to the ToR and has written that, the pension structure, retirement benefits, pension revision and pension parity between employees who retired before or after 1/1/2026 should be reviewed.
4. The words “Unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes” should be deleted:
The union stated that this terminology in the ToR is “unfair and misleading.” The union demanded that these terms portray constitutionally and judicially protected pension rights as merely a financial burden, which is incorrect. Employees fear that the government may reduce pensions in the name of eliminating “unfunded expenditures.” The union demanded that these terms be removed from the ToR and that pension revisions be made from the date of retirement without any discrimination.
5. Other retirement benefits should be reviewed:
The union has demanded that the following points be included in the ToR:
Commuted value of pension should be restored after 11 years
Get additional pension/family pension every 5 years
Review of health facilities
Changes in the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS)
The health care system for retired employees should be strengthened.
6. Demand for restoration of OPS:
The letter states, “Around 1 lakh employees have moved from NPS to UPS scheme, but they are not satisfied with it and want the old pension scheme. The demand for review and implementation of OPS should be included in the ToR of 8th CPC.”
7. Extension of 8th CPC benefits:
The union demands that the benefits of 8th CPC should also include employees of centrally funded Autonomous Bodies, Statutory Bodies, Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).
8. Comprehensive review of health plans:
The union has demanded that a review of the health scheme for central government employees and pensioners be included in the ToR. The letter states, “Changes should be made to the CGHS, more wellness centers should be opened, and all employees and pensioners should receive cashless and hassle-free medical care. Employees of autonomous and statutory bodies should also receive coverage.”
