Employees are demanding a minimum basic salary of ₹69,000 under the 8th Pay Commission, which would require a fitment factor of 3.83. But will the commission grant such a high fitment factor? Let’s find out.

Central government employees are eagerly awaiting the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations. Currently, meetings regarding the commission are being held across various states; a meeting was recently conducted in Chennai. Pensioners and employees have high expectations from this meeting. Several employee and pensioner organizations have urged the government to raise the minimum basic salary to ₹69,000 and set the fitment factor at 3.83.

What is the current basic salary?

Under the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum basic salary for central government employees was fixed at ₹18,000. Employee organizations want to raise it to ₹69,000 under the 8th Pay Commission. If this happens, it will mark a significant increase in the minimum basic salary.

Organizations demanding a 3.83 fitment factor

Several major employee organizations raised this demand during the meeting, including the National Council of JCM, All India Defence Employees Federation, Federation of National Postal Organizations, All India New Pension Scheme Employees Federation, and Bharat Pensioners Samaj. Meanwhile, Chennai GPO pensioners have demanded a fitment factor of approximately 3.77 and a minimum pay of ₹68,000.

Why is this demand being made?

Employee organizations argue that the cost of maintaining a family has risen significantly in recent times. They are basing their demand for the minimum basic salary on the prices of daily necessities. These include essentials such as grains and rice, vegetables and fruits, milk, clothing, petrol, electricity, water, and other necessary household expenses. In presenting their case, the organizations argue that the existing minimum salary is insufficient given the rising inflation and increasing family expenses.

Will employees get a 3.83 fitment factor?

It is worth noting that nothing is certain at this stage. Even during the 7th Pay Commission, the National Council-JCM had demanded a fitment factor of 3.71, yet the government ultimately approved a factor of 2.57. Therefore, one cannot conclude that a 3.83 fitment factor will be granted under the 8th Pay Commission based solely on the demands of employee organizations.