MSRTC staff should accept revised pay structure by June 7 or quit: Min
Maharashtra state transport minister Diwakar Raote during a press conference held on Friday said the employees of MSRTC should accept the revised pay structure by June 7 or can feel free to quit the job and join back on contract basis for five years.
The wage revision structures were announced by the transport minister on the 70th anniversary of the transport utility. Employees had not received a wage revision in two years after the last agreement expired in 2016.
For the next four years, the wage has been increased to the amount of Rs 4,849 crore and increased wage will add Rs 176 crore to the annual losses of MSRTC.
In a bid to reduce the disparity between the employees across the organisation, the wage of permanent employees
The members of ST Kamgaar Sanghatna said they have not received anything in writing and it seems like they are indirectly threatening the employees to quit the job
has increased from 20 per cent to 32 per cent, while workers on a low grade have been given a hike between 16 and 48 per cent.
“If there are any workers or employees who are not satisfied with the wage hike can resign and we will take them on a contract basis. Drivers will be given Rs 20,000 and conductors Rs 19,000 as a salary with annual wage hike of Rs 200 for five years,” added Raote.
The members of ST Kamgaar Sanghatna said they have not received anything in writing and it seems like they are indirectly threatening the employees to quit the job.
“It is the first time such announcement has been made where none of the members of ST Kamgaar Sangthana were asked to attend the meeting. It is completely one-sided decision where we have been given an ultimatum of accepting wage hike by June 7,” said Sandeep Shinde, President of ST Kamgaar Sanghtana.
Shinde further added they are threatening us to leave the job and accept contractual employment under the garb of a golden opportunity. It is just rubbing salt on the wounds of workers who are already suffering.
“We will protest against the administration if workers or employees are forced to accept the proposal,” said Shinde.
Around one lakh state transport workers went on an indefinite strike last Diwali demanding the salaries in line with the recommendations of the seventh pay commission. The strike was declared illegal by the Bombay High Court after it continued for four days, starting October 16.
Raote also said that the rising fuel prices have left the transport utility no option but to increase their fares. “A 30 per cent fare hike has been proposed. We will examine the proposal and take a call on it. Under the current circumstances I don’t know how we can avoid a fare hike,” the minister said. The minister has also sought a waiver on toll across highways for state transport buses to reduce the financial burden.