The postal staff across various regions have initiated protests, voicing their deep-seated concerns regarding job security and long-pending pension demands. These agitations reflect a growing unease among postal employees, particularly those in rural areas serving as Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), who feel increasingly vulnerable due to evolving operational models and a perceived lack of parity with regular postal employees. The core issues fueling these protests are the demand for a stable and secure future within the postal service and the pressing need for a reliable pension system that ensures financial security post-retirement.

Job security has emerged as a primary concern for many postal workers, especially with the proposed implementation of new delivery models such as the Independent Delivery Centres (IDCs). The All India Gramin Dak Sevaks Union (AIGDSU) has vehemently opposed these IDCs, fearing that they represent a move towards outsourcing and centralization of parcel delivery, which could significantly erode the roles and responsibilities of GDS workers. The union argues that if IDCs are indeed introduced, GDS staff must be seamlessly absorbed into this new structure with full-service protections and benefits, ensuring their continued employment and safeguarding their livelihoods.

The demand for a fair and adequate pension system is another critical aspect of the postal staff’s protest. Currently, many GDS employees are covered under the National Pension System (NPS), and there is a growing demand for the extension of a monthly pension under this system to ensure financial security after retirement. The union is also advocating for the inclusion of GDS workers in pension schemes that are on par with those provided to regular postal employees. This disparity in retirement benefits has been a long-standing grievance, with GDS employees often feeling disadvantaged despite their years of dedicated service.

In addition to job security and pension concerns, the protesting postal staff have also raised several other pertinent demands related to their working conditions and remuneration. These include the implementation of an eight-hour work schedule, which aligns with the standards for regular employees and acknowledges the increasing workload handled by GDS workers. There is also a strong call for higher pay and full-service benefits that are equivalent to those received by their regular counterparts in the postal department. The Time-Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), which compensates GDS employees based on their duty hours and responsibilities, is deemed insufficient and in need of revision to reflect the actual work performed.

The AIGDSU has been actively pursuing the implementation of the positive recommendations of the Kamlesh Chandra Committee, which was constituted to look into the service conditions and wages of Gramin Dak Sevaks. These recommendations include fair pay fixation effective from January 2016, time-bound promotions after specific years of service, the removal of the cap on gratuity, leave encashment benefits, and access to medical benefits under schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or the Employee State Insurance (ESI). The non-implementation of these recommendations has further fueled the discontent among postal staff.

Another significant point of contention is the current incentive-based workload model, which the union argues is exploitative. GDS workers are demanding that all the work they undertake, including handling postal savings, insurance schemes, and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) accounts, should be accurately counted in official workload assessments. The practice of linking salaries directly to workload targets has been criticized for creating undue pressure and not adequately compensating employees for the full range of their duties. The demand for equal pay for equal work, especially for new recruits working specific hour shifts, is also a key aspect of their agitation.

Beyond these core demands, the protesting postal staff have also voiced concerns about workplace harassment and have called for the withdrawal of disciplinary actions taken against members who participated in previous strikes advocating for their rights. They are also seeking better infrastructure support for branch post offices, including essential tools such as laptops, printers, and reliable internet connectivity, which are increasingly necessary for efficient operations in rural postal services. Furthermore, the union has expressed its opposition to harsh and disproportionate punishments that often fail to consider the economic hardships and challenging service conditions faced by GDS workers.

The protests have taken various forms, including demonstrations at divisional post offices and symbolic actions such as wearing black badges during duty hours. The AIGDSU has also outlined a phased program of agitation to escalate pressure on the Department of Posts, including postcard campaigns addressed to the Secretary of the department and plans for major protests at the Punjab circle headquarters in Chandigarh. These actions demonstrate the collective resolve of the postal staff to press for their legitimate demands and ensure a more secure and equitable future within the postal service. The outcome of these protests and the response from the authorities will be crucial in determining the future of job security and pension benefits for postal employees across the nation.