EPS-95: From August 1, pensioners under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) ‘s social security scheme EPS-95 (EPS-95) have started protests at various levels including hunger strike from Monday.
National Sangharsh Samiti (NAC) convener Ashok Raut said in the statement, ‘Our demands are long pending, we will campaign in support of our demands from 1st August to 7th August 2022 at taluka, district and state level across the country.
Pensioners go on hunger strike under EPS-95
Giving details of the protest, he said, ” The hunger strike has started from August 1 in front of the Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) office in the national capital. This hunger strike will continue till August 7. If their demands are not met, they will go on a hunger strike. Also, from August 8, lakhs of pensioners across the country will organize Rasta Roko campaign at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital Delhi.
Pensioners are demanding Rs 7,500 per month under EPS-95
Pensioners agitating under NAC are demanding to increase the minimum pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme of EPFO to Rs 7,500 per month. Along with this, there are other demands including giving option of higher pension to EPS-95 pensioners, providing free medical facilities to all EPS-95 pensioners and their spouses.
Employees get Rs 1,000 per month pension
It is noteworthy that 12 percent of the basic salary of the employees covered under EPAS-95 goes to the provident fund. At the same time, 8.33 percent of the employer’s 12 percent share goes to the employee’s pension scheme. Apart from this, the government contributes 1.16 percent to the pension fund. At present, the employees covered under this scheme get a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month.
Employees are getting a maximum of Rs 2,500 as monthly pension even after working for 30 years and contributing continuously to the EPS based pension. This makes it difficult for workers and their families to survive.
