HISTORIC ONE DAY TOKEN STRIKE OF 19TH SEPTEMBER 1968.
19th SEPTEMBER 1968, is the biggest Milestone in the history of Central Government Employees trade union movement - 56 years ago on this day the entirety of the Central Government Employees conducted one day TOKEN STRIKE on the clarion call of Joint Council of Action (JCA ) comprising of AIRF, AIDEF and the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Worker's.
The basic demands of the strike were " Grant need based minimum wages " & " Full Neutralisation of rise in price of cost of living through Dearness Allowance ", alongwith other Demands in the charter. More than 30 lacs CG Employees participated in the strike inspite of all odds, making the strike a grand success.
The 15th ILC (1957) for the first time, provided a broader framework for Determination and fixation of minimum rate of wages in India, which mainly recommended fixation of minimum wages should be based on " Need based and should ensure the minimum human need of an industrial Worker's, irrespective of any other considerations ". This concept was not accepted by the 2nd CPC, resulting in an indefinite strike by CG Employees from 12th July 1960, unilaterally withdrawn on 17th July in absence of any negotiation forum. Later on, the Government established Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) with compulsory Arbitration, similar to that of whitley Council in Britain in 1966.
When in the first meeting of JCM staff side raised the issue of full Neutralisation of price rise and Dearness Allowance, Government accorded it's Disagreement but refused to refer it to the Arbitration, staff side gave the clarion call of one day TOKEN Strike on 19th July 68 under the banner of JCA.
The then Government led by Smt. Indira Gandhi resorted to all repressive measures to suppress the strike, services of para military forces and even army Personnels were utilized to curb the strike of CG Employees. ESMA was promulgated everywhere, preventive arrests of leader's were made and strict directives were issued for dealing with the strike. It would be quite relevant to mention here that the then Kerala Government led by Com. E.M.S Namboodiripad declared that his Government won't invoke ESMA on striking Employees , defying all threats of dismissal of his Government by the centre .Government also refused to utilise the CRPF and other para military forces in the state .There were mass scale Victimization, thousands were suspended , jailed , terminated , removed from Service, 17 striking Employees sacrificed there lives in police actions at various places .
The impact of the strike was that the Government was compelled to put "Neutralisation of price rise in the "Terms of Reference of 3rd CPC " in 1970. The 3rd CPC recommended the formula of Neutralisation of price rise through Dearness Allowance as per consumer price index. The facilities of Dearness Allowance, which we are enjoying today are because of the sacrifices of those Comrades. Need Based minimum wage as per Dr Akroyd recommendations is still illusive, sustained struggle is required to achieve the same.
On this 56th ANNIVERSARY of the historic 19th SEPTEMBER strike 1968, the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Worker's pays respectful Homage to 17 Martyrs of 19th SEPTEMBER strike, who have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of future Generations. We also remember the great leaders who led the movement and the common members who made it possible by their active participation. Their sacrifices will always be a source of inspiration for us to carry out the struggles in future to protect the interest of the working class.
LONG LIVE MARTYR'S OF 19TH SEPTEMBER 1968 STRIKE!!
S B YADAV
SG CONFEDERATION
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