8th Pay Commission: After the announcement of the 8th Pay Commission of the Central Government, discussions have intensified regarding the salary hike of central employees. The National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM-NC) has demanded from the government to increase the fitment factor to at least 2.57 or more.
8th Pay Commission: After the announcement of the 8th Pay Commission of the Central Government, discussions have intensified regarding the salary hike of central employees. The National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM-NC) has demanded the government to increase the fitment factor to at least 2.57 or more. So that the employees can get a better salary. Now it remains to be seen whether the government approves this demand of the employees.
Fitment factor 2.57 – How much will the salary increase?
According to JCM-NC Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra, the fitment factor should be 2.57 or more, which will be the same as the 7th Pay Commission. If the fitment factor of 2.57 is implemented, the salary of central employees will increase by 157 percent.
The current minimum wage will increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 46,260 per month. In the same proportion, the minimum pension will also increase from Rs 9,000 to Rs 23,130. In the 7th Pay Commission also, a fitment factor of 2.57 was adopted, due to which the minimum salary of the employees increased from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000.
Discussion of fitment factor 1.92, but demand is for 2.57
Former Finance Secretary Subhash Garg believes that a fitment factor of 2.86 would be more. Employees are demanding this but it is difficult to do so. He says that the possibility of a fitment factor of 1.92 is more. When the fitment factor of 1.92 is implemented, the minimum wage will increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 34,560, which will be an increase of 92 percent.
Why do we need a fitment factor of 2.57 or more?
According to JCM-NC, the 7th Pay Commission had based its decision on the 15th Indian Labour Conference (ILC) held in 1957 and Dr Aykroyd’s minimum living wage formula. But it has become outdated considering today’s inflation and expenses. The 7th Pay Commission had set a consumption standard of three units to decide the need-based salary. But the 8th Pay Commission should increase it to five units. So that dependent parents can also be included. Mishra argued that considering the increasing cost of internet, higher education, health and digital services, the fitment factor should be 2.57 or more.
8th Pay Commission Timeline
The time period of the 7th Pay Commission is ending on 31 December 2025. Therefore, it is likely that the 8th Pay Commission will be implemented from 1 January 2026. However, according to some reports, there may be a delay in this. On 16 January 2025, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the 8th Pay Commission. However, the names of its chairman and members have not been announced yet. The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission were implemented in 2016, on this basis it is believed that the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission will be implemented in 2026.
