18 Months Without NJCS Meeting: Over 40 Issues of SAIL Employees Still Pending, Case Reaches Court

Bhilai steel plant | 29 July 2025

The National Joint Committee for Steel Industry (NJCS), formed to resolve employee-related matters in SAIL, has not held a full-body meeting for the past 18 months. The last meeting was conducted on 20 January 2024, but since then neither the management nor the participating trade unions have taken the initiative to convene another round.

As a result, more than 40 critical issues of SAIL employees remain unresolved for years, creating widespread dissatisfaction among the workforce.

Employees’ Long-Pending Issues –

Among the major matters awaiting decisions are:

1. Wage revision agreement still pending

2. 15% MGB and 35% perks settlement not finalized

3. Decision on 39-month fitment arrears and 58-month perks arrears pending

4. Festival advance (not revised since 2008)

5. Incentive reward (not revised since 2007).

6. House building loan, vehicle loan and other withdrawn facilities not restored.

7. Furniture advance, laptop advance not implemented.

8. Gratuity ceiling-linked pension contribution pending since 2012.

9. Cluster-wise and grade-wise designations for supervisory cadre not finalized

10. House perquisite and stagnation increment facilities not implemented.

Legal Action Taken-

Frustrated by the delay, representatives have filed a writ petition in Delhi High Court. The case is expected to come up for hearing soon, raising hopes of judicial intervention in breaking the deadlock.

NJCS Under Scrutiny

As per Section 3 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, a Works Committee must ensure equal participation of management and employees. However, NJCS meetings are being held at the discretion of the SAIL management. The Director (Personnel) of SAIL serves as the convener of the NJCS.

With the matter now in court and over 40 unresolved issues, employees await whether judicial intervention will finally push for accountability and progress.

Report by – Digital Bhilai News Desk

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