8th Pay Commission – There is a big update for central government employees. After the announcement of the 8th Pay Commission of the Central Government, the discussion about the increase in the salary of central employees is in full swing. The National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM-NC) has urged the government to increase the fitment factor to at least 2.57 or more, so that the employees can get a good salary. Now everyone’s eyes are fixed on whether the government accepts this demand of the employees or not.
Fitment Factor 2.57 – How much will the salary increase?
According to JCM-NC Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra, the fitment factor should be 2.57 or more, which will be the same as the 7th Pay Commission. If the fitment factor of 2.57 is implemented, the salary of central employees will increase by 157 percent.
The current minimum wage will increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 46,260 per month. In the same proportion, the minimum pension will also increase from Rs 9,000 to Rs 23,130. The 7th Pay Commission also adopted a fitment factor update of 2.57, which increased the minimum salary of employees from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000.
Former Finance Secretary Subhash Garg believes that the fitment factor of 2.86 being demanded by government employees is high and is less likely to be accepted. According to him, a fitment factor of 1.92 is more likely. If the fitment factor of 1.92 is implemented, the minimum wage will increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 34,560, which will be an increase of 92 percent.
According to JCM-NC, the 7th Pay Commission had based its decision on the 15th Indian Labour Conference (ILC) held in 1957 and Dr Aykroyd’s minimum living wage formula. But it has become outdated considering today’s inflation and expenses. The 7th Pay Commission had set a consumption standard of three units to decide the need-based salary. But the 8th Pay Commission should increase it to five units. So that dependent parents can also be included. Mishra argued that considering the increasing cost of internet, higher education, health and digital service, the fitment factor should be 2.57 or more.