BMS units across Odisha to hold protest demonstrations at all district headquarters on March 18
Bhubaneswar(12/03/2025): The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) units across Odisha will hold protest demonstrations at all district headquarters on March 18. In response to the call given by the Kendriya Karya Samithi Baitak of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in Guwahati, the state unit of BMS will hold demonstrations in front of District Collectorates and key industrial towns demanding an Increase in minimum pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000. Currently, around 76 lakh EPS-95 pensioners receive a minimum pension of Rs 1,000.
Most of these pensioners are former private sector employees and other workers.
For the past three years, BMS has been demanding an increase in the minimum pension under EPS-95 from 21,000 to 25,000 and linking it with the Variable Deamess Allowance (DA) Additionally, BMS seeks to extend Ayushman Bharat health coverage to these pensioners.
Despite raising this issue in multiple forums, including pre-budget meetings chaired by the finance minister, the government has yet to take a decisive step. Apart from pension-related concerns, BMS has also highlighted the long-pending demands of Scheme Workers and Contract Workers in various sectors. In a press meet, B.
Surendran, All India Organtzing Secretary, Anjali Patel, All India Secretary and Pruthiraj Panda, State General Secretary said, "Since 1975, Anganwadi Workers have been classified as Scheme Workers.
BMS demands that the governinent recognise them as Government Employees and extend all benefits applicable to government staff." It was highlighted that many industries and establishments continue to exploit contract workers by keeping them in temporary employment for decades. These workers lack job security, fair wages, and proper benefits. BMS demands their regularisation in a phased manner and ensures fair wages and social security.
