National Coal Wage Agreement VI: Understanding the Terms and Its Impacts
The National Coal Wage Agreement (NCWA) VI is a collective bargaining agreement that governs worker wages and benefits in the coal mining industry in India. The agreement was negotiated by the Coal Mines Workers` Union (CMWU) and the management of coal companies and was signed on October 10, 2020.
The NCWA VI covers a period of five years, beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2021. It replaces the previous agreement, NCWA V, which expired in 2016.
The new agreement includes several provisions that affect the wages and working conditions of coal miners. Here are some of the key highlights of the NCWA VI:
1. Wage increase
Under the new agreement, coal miners will receive a 25% wage increase over the previous agreement. The wage increase will be paid in two installments, with the first installment being paid retrospectively from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2020, and the second installment from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.
2. Allowances
The new agreement also includes an increase in various allowances, such as the dearness allowance, house rent allowance, mobile allowance, and medical allowance. The increase in these allowances will range from 20% to 50%.
3. Retirement benefits
The NCWA VI provides for an increase in retirement benefits for coal miners. The gratuity amount has been increased from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh. Similarly, the monthly pension amount for retired coal miners has been increased from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 6,000.
4. Working hours and leaves
The agreement also includes provisions related to working hours and leaves. The working hours for underground coal mines have been reduced from 8 hours to 7 hours per shift. The agreement also provides for an increase in the number of days of casual leave, sick leave, and earned leave.
The NCWA VI is expected to benefit around 3.6 lakh coal miners in India. The increase in wages and benefits is expected to provide a boost to their living standards and help them cope with the rising cost of living.
However, the agreement has also faced criticism from some quarters. Some critics argue that the wage increase is not enough and that it does not take into account the rising cost of living in India. Others have argued that the agreement does not do enough to address the health and safety concerns of coal miners.
In conclusion, the National Coal Wage Agreement VI is a significant milestone for the coal mining industry in India. The wage increase and other benefits included in the agreement will provide much-needed relief to coal miners and their families. However, there is still much work to be done to improve the working conditions, health, and safety of coal miners in India.