Union Submits Memorandum Seeking Pension Hike and Job Security
Key Points:
- BMS East Singhbhum unit observes nationwide Demand Day on August 17
- Memorandum seeks minimum pension increase from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500
- District president urges centre for time-bound talks with labour unions
JAMSHEDPUR – The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh’s East Singhbhum unit observed Demand Day on Monday to press for long-pending worker demands. The union submitted a memorandum through the district administration addressed to the prime minister.
Copies were also sent to the union labour and employment minister. The finance minister was addressed as well, seeking urgent action on several worker-related issues.
According to the union, the decision to observe a nationwide Demand Day on August 17 was taken earlier. A central working committee meeting held in Ranchi from July 26 to 28, 2026 finalised the date.
The memorandum prominently raised the demand to increase the minimum pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme-95. It sought a hike from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500 per month, linked to inflation relief.
The union also demanded that pensioners be extended benefits under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Additionally, it sought a doubling of the maximum ceiling for provident fund, state insurance and bonus calculations.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh further pressed for restoration of the old pension scheme. It also demanded gratuity be calculated on a 30-day wage basis instead of 15 days, with the existing ceiling removed altogether.
The union sought equal pay for equal work across all employees, including contract workers. Moreover, it demanded a minimum wage increase in line with inflation.
Demands also covered higher honorarium for anganwadi, ASHA, mid-day meal and National Health Mission scheme workers. The memorandum sought a five-day banking week and amendments to anti-worker provisions in the labour codes.
Additionally, the union raised pending matters concerning Heavy Engineering Corporation in Ranchi. It also flagged unresolved cases linked to 23 national textile mills spread across eight states.
Job security for development officers at the Life Insurance Corporation was another demand included in the memorandum. District president Amarendra Kumar Singh said the organisation’s demands went beyond wage hikes alone.
“Our demands are linked to social security, economic justice, worker dignity and a better employment system,” Singh said, describing the union’s broader objectives. He appealed to the central government for time-bound talks with labour representatives on all pending issues.
The protest comes amid continued trade union activity across the region this month. Left-affiliated unions had earlier staged a jail bharo protest in Jamshedpur against central policies.
Workers at Tata Cummins recently reached a separate wage settlement. The company signed a four-year wage revision agreement raising salaries significantly.
Tata Motors has also moved on worker-related matters recently. The company announced it would permanentise 78 temporary employees after releasing a final list.
A separate wage restructuring pact was signed at Tata Motors earlier this month. Workers’ union representatives had signed the agreement covering broader compensation terms.
Trade unions in Sakchi also staged a demonstration demanding policy changes. Protesters held a fill-the-jails protest against central government policies.
