Declare pension a fundamental right for retired employees: BMS

Calling for a review of all existing pension schemes in the country, RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has demanded that pension must be declared a fundamental right of a retired employee.

At its two-day National Executive Meeting in Patna which ended on Sunday, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) labour wing passed a resolution seeking a pension for retired employees which should not be less than 50 per cent of the employees' last drawn salary or the minimum declared salary, whichever is higher.

"The government should review and reform holistically all the pension schemes in the country. The Constitution ensures Right to Live to every citizen and a retired employee has the right to get pension. Hence it should be declared a fundamental right," the BMS said in the resolution made public on Monday.

Pointing to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PMSYM) scheme, which provides an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 to informal workers, the BMS said: "It is strange that the employees in the organised sector get only Rs 1,000 as Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) pension.

"The shortcomings found in the EPF pension scheme should be overcome and a decision should be taken that the employees get 50 per cent of their last drawn salary. Till such a decision is taken, a minimum Rs 5,000 per month should be declared as pension for the EPF contributors," it said.

The BMS also demanded linking all pension schemes to price index and their revision at regular intervals.

It also called for a joint meeting of all the trade unions to ensure better implementation of the pension scheme in the unorganised sector.

--IANS

and/mr