Haryana Government Employee Unions Intensify Campaign Ahead of February 12 Nationwide Strike
Government employee unions in Haryana have significantly intensified their campaign efforts in preparation for the upcoming nationwide strike scheduled for February 12. The unions are mobilizing workers across multiple sectors to press for three key demands that have remained unresolved despite previous government actions.
Core Demands Driving the Agitation
The unions are focusing their campaign on three primary issues that affect both regular and contractual employees across Haryana's government departments. These demands have become central to the growing labor unrest in the state.
- Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS): Unions demand a complete return to the traditional pension system rather than the current National Pension System framework.
- Regularization of Contractual Employees: Approximately 1.35 lakh contractual workers seek permanent employment status with full benefits.
- Filling Vacant Sanctioned Posts: Departments across the state have numerous unfilled positions that need immediate attention through proper recruitment processes.
National Context and State Mobilization
The February 12 strike forms part of a larger nationwide protest primarily against the four labor codes intended to replace 29 existing labor laws. In Haryana, union leaders are leveraging the state's history of strong labor agitations to ensure maximum participation.
"Hundreds of teams from employee bodies have already begun mobilising workers for the strike," said Subhash Lamba, national president of the All India State Government Employees Federation and Haryana affairs in-charge. "Employees from several sectors including banking, insurance, transport, electricity, health, education and public health will participate in this collective action."
The state has more than three lakh regular employees and nearly 1.35 lakh contractual workers, creating substantial workforce participation potential for the planned strike.
Pension Scheme Controversy
In response to persistent demands for OPS restoration, the Haryana cabinet approved the adoption of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) in June 2025. This scheme, notified by the central government under the National Pension System framework, became effective from August 1, 2025, and is expected to benefit over two lakh government employees appointed on or after January 1, 2006.
The UPS provides 50 percent of the average basic pay earned during the 12 months preceding retirement for employees completing 25 years of service. It guarantees a minimum pension of Rs 10,000 per month for those retiring after at least 10 years of qualifying service, with families receiving 60 percent of the last drawn pension upon the pensioner's death.
However, union leaders remain unsatisfied with this compromise. "From the very beginning, our demand has been the restoration of the OPS. The UPS was never our demand," emphasized Lamba. "When MLAs and MPs continue to enjoy the benefits of the OPS, why has it not been restored for government employees?"
Contractual Employee Regularization
The regularization of approximately 1.35 lakh contractual employees represents another critical demand. About 1.2 lakh workers are engaged under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN), while nearly 15,000 are contractual teachers in government schools.
Lamba clarified the union's position: "We want full regularisation of HKRN employees, rather than limiting them to job guarantees up to the age of 58 for those who have completed five years of service."
Ahead of the October 2024 Assembly polls, the Haryana Cabinet approved an ordinance to ensure job security for contractual employees until superannuation. More recently, the government issued instructions to reopen the HKRN Limited portal to update and verify data of eligible contractual employees.
Government Response and Recruitment Processes
Haryana BJP spokesperson Sanjay Sharma addressed the concerns while defending the government's position. "The job guarantee given to HKRN employees is almost equivalent to regular jobs, and they will enjoy security up to the age of 58," he stated.
Regarding regular positions, Sharma noted: "For regular positions, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission and the Haryana Public Service Commission have already advertised several vacancies, and recruitment processes are underway."
The spokesperson urged dialogue over confrontation: "Employee bodies should engage in dialogue with the government rather than resorting to strikes. The government is willing to listen to their demands positively."
As the February 12 strike date approaches, Haryana's employee unions continue their intensified campaign, determined to secure what they describe as fundamental rights for both regular and contractual government workers across the state.
