Govt Employees announce Nationwide Protest against Central Government

The Confederation of Central Government Employees has announced nationwide protests starting from December 2025. The confederation stated that the government has failed to act on key demands of employees, even after repeated representations and a strike held on 9 July 2025.

According to the Confederation, no major steps have been taken by the government except for forming the 8th Central Pay Commission. Instead, the organisation alleges that several unions have faced derecognition, denial of recognition, and “vindictive action” against union leaders for participating in union activities. The Confederation pointed out two recent cases: the suspension of the General Secretary of Kerala CoC and the dismissal of the General Secretary of AIGDSU. These two incidents show that the Government is taking strict action against union leaders.

Concerns Over New 8th CPC Terms

The confederation also raised concerns over the government notification issued on 3 November 2025 regarding the 8th CPC. According to the Confederation:

• Pension revision has been kept outside the scope of the 8th CPC.
• A new clause to “examine unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes” may harm the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Three-Phase Protest Plan

The Government employees are not happy with the decisions of the Government and thus, the Confederation’s National Executive, in a meeting held on 25 October, approved a three-phase protest plan:

1. Nationwide campaign till 15 December to explain demands to employees.
2. Lunch-hour demonstrations at all offices on 16 December.
3. State conventions to be held by 31 December.

It said that more protest actions will be announced after reviewing the response to these programmes.

Key Demands

What are the demands of Government Employees that are not being fulfilled by the Government? The Confederation has listed several demands, including:

• Change the terms of reference of the 8th CPC to include pay and pension revision
• Merge 50% DA/DR with basic pay and give 20% interim relief from 1 January 2026
• Scrap NPS and restore the Old Pension Scheme
• Remove the 5% ceiling on compassionate appointments
• Release 18 months of frozen DA/DR
• Fill all vacant posts and stop outsourcing
• Withdraw derecognition orders of major unions
• Implement Arbitration Awards under the JCM
• Regularise contractual, casual, contingent workers and GDS employees

Opposition to New Labour Codes

The Confederation also criticised the government’s move to officially notify the four new labour codes, saying they make union functioning more difficult. Ten central trade unions participated in demonstrations on 26 November 2025. The Confederation said it fully supports these protests.

To build support for the movement, national leaders of the Confederation will tour various states before 15 December. The circular includes a detailed list of leaders and the states they will visit. The Confederation has urged all affiliated unions and state committees to coordinate closely, educate members about the demands, and ensure strong participation.