CIL settles wage row

New Delhi, Aug. 25 (PTI): The stalemate between the Coal India management and the labour unions over salary increase has ended after both sides reached an understanding.

"We have reached an understanding with the Coal India management for a 20 per cent minimum guaranteed benefit," D.D. Ramanandan, general-secretary of the Citu-affiliated All India Coal Workers Federation, said.

The central trade unions at the coal PSU had been demanding a 25 per cent increase on gross wages as on June 30, 2016, plus 4 per cent as perks.

Ramanandan said the unions have settled for a 20 per cent minimum guaranteed benefit as the management was earlier not contributing to the medical scheme, but now has agreed to provide Rs 18,000 per person.

"Already, the management is contributing 1.16 per cent to the pension funds, which will be increased to 7 per cent," Ramanandan added.

Every five years, all central workmen unions negotiate with the management for a salary hike through a series of meetings. Validity of the last pay hike expired on June 31 last year.

S.Q. Zama, secretary-general of the Indian National Mine Workers Federation affiliated to INTUC, said the 25 per cent hike on gross wages is less than its expectations.

The trade unions and the Coal India management met for three days - on August 17-19 - in Ranchi and in the national capital yesterday to deliberate on the issue of wage hike.

The five operating central unions in the coal industry are INTUC, BMS, HMS, AITUC and Citu.

Coal India Ltd