Date: 19th September 2026

58th REMEMBRANCE DAY OF THE HISTORIC ONE-DAY TOKEN STRIKE OF 19th SEPTEMBER 1968

Dear Comrades,

19th September 1968 occupies a glorious and unforgettable place in the history of the Central Government Employees’ Trade Union Movement. On this day, 58 years ago, lakhs of Central Government Employees responded to the clarion call of the Joint Action Council (JAC), comprising AIRF, AIDEF and the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, and observed a historic one-day token strike throughout the country.

The principal demands of the historic struggle were:

Grant Need-Based Minimum Wage based on the Dr. Akroyd formula.

Full Neutralisation of the rise in prices through Dearness Allowance.

Merger of Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay.

Withdrawal of the proposal for removal/compulsory retirement of employees on attaining 50 years of age or completing 25 years of service.

Withdrawal of victimisation and reinstatement of victimised employees.

No retrenchment without equivalent employment.

Abolition of the contract and casual labour system.

BACKGROUND OF THE STRUGGLE

The 15th Indian Labour Conference (1957) recognised the principle of need-based minimum wages, based on the basic requirements of workers and their families. However, the principle was not accepted by the Second Central Pay Commission.

The growing dissatisfaction among Central Government Employees resulted in the historic indefinite strike of July 1960. Subsequently, the Government established the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) with compulsory arbitration in 1966.

When the Staff Side raised the demand for full neutralisation of price rise through Dearness Allowance, the Government disagreed and refused to refer the issue for arbitration. Consequently, the JAC gave the call for the historic one-day token strike on 19th September 1968.

UNPRECEDENTED REPRESSION

The then Government, headed by Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, resorted to severe repressive measures to suppress the strike. Essential Services Maintenance provisions were invoked, and police and para-military forces were deployed. Thousands of leaders and employees were arrested even before the strike.

The extent of victimisation was unprecedented:

About 40,000 employees were suspended.

Around 64,000 employees were served termination notices.

Thousands were dismissed, removed or otherwise punished.

Uncountable charge-sheets were issued against striking employees, leaders and trade-union activists.

Large numbers of employees were arrested and subjected to various forms of harassment and victimisation. Most tragically, 17 employees sacrificed their lives in police/military firing, lathi-charge and other incidents connected with the strike.

Yet, despite this brutal repression, the employees stood firm. The strike was observed across the country in major departments including Railways, Defence, Posts & Telecommunications and other Central Government establishments.

THE IMPACT OF THE HISTORIC STRIKE

Though the strike was only for one day, its impact was far-reaching. The Government was compelled to include the issue of neutralisation of price rise in the Terms of Reference of the Third Central Pay Commission in 1970.

The Third Pay Commission subsequently recommended a system of Dearness Allowance linked with the Consumer Price Index.

The Dearness Allowance system enjoyed by Central Government Employees today is inseparably connected with the long and determined struggles of the employees and the sacrifices made by the comrades of the 1968 movement.

However, the demand for Need-Based Minimum Wage based on the Dr. Akroyd formula continues to remain an important unresolved demand, requiring sustained struggle.

58th REMEMBRANCE DAY — LET US HONOUR THEIR SACRIFICE

On this 58th Remembrance Day of the Historic 19th September 1968 Strike, the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers pays its respectful and revolutionary homage to the 17 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the rights and welfare of future generations.

We also remember with respect all the leaders and employees who participated in the struggle and faced arrest, suspension, termination, dismissal, charge-sheets, imprisonment and other forms of victimisation.

Their courage, unity and sacrifice remain a permanent source of inspiration for the Central Government Employees’ movement.

Let us organise Remembrance Day programmes, meetings and commemorative activities at all levels and educate the younger generation of employees about the historic struggles and sacrifices of our predecessors.

Let us pledge to carry forward the unfinished tasks of the 1968 movement and continue our collective struggle for the legitimate rights and demands of employees and workers.

LONG LIVE THE MARTYRS OF 19th SEPTEMBER 1968!

RED SALUTE TO THE 17 MARTYRS! ✊🚩

LONG LIVE THE UNITY OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES!

LONG LIVE THE WORKING-CLASS MOVEMENT!

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS ZINDABAD...

M.S.Vengatesan

Secretary General