As preparations for the 8th Pay Commission gather pace, central government employee bodies have begun formally submitting their recommendations, highlighting long standing concerns around pay parity and salary progression. Among the key proposals is a demand for a graded fitment factor that varies across different pay levels, instead of a uniform multiplier applied to all employees.
The Federation of National Postal Organisation has placed its demands before the National Council Joint Consultative Machinery Staff Side, outlining what it believes should form the foundation of the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations for postal employees. The organisation submitted a detailed 60 page document covering multiple aspects of service conditions, including pay scales, salary structure, increments, allowances, promotions, and the continuation of the existing pay matrix system.
One of the central arguments in the submission is that the uniform fitment factor adopted by previous pay commissions has contributed to widening pay gaps between lower and higher level employees. The FNPO has therefore proposed a graded fitment factor framework, under which lower pay levels would receive a higher multiplier compared to senior positions. According to the employee body, this approach would help address long standing inequities and ensure more balanced wage growth across cadres.
FNPO Secretary General Sivaji Vasireddy, who is also a member of the NCJCM Staff Side, explained that the document is part of a broader effort by employee organisations to present consolidated and evidence based inputs to the upcoming pay panel. He said the recommendations are not limited to postal employees alone but are intended to contribute to a wider discussion on central government pay reforms.
Vasireddy told The Economic Times Wealth that the NCJCM plans to hold discussions with members of the draft committee on February 25, 2026. The meeting will take place after feedback from various central government employee organisations is compiled and reviewed. Following these deliberations, a consolidated draft of demands will be submitted to the chairperson of the 8th Pay Commission, Ranjana Prakash Desai.
Employee representatives have also emphasised the need to retain the current pay matrix system, arguing that it offers transparency and predictability in career progression. However, they have sought modifications to address stagnation at certain levels and to ensure that annual increments and promotions reflect actual workload and responsibilities.
The graded fitment factor proposal is expected to be one of the most debated issues before the 8th Pay Commission. While employee bodies argue that it is essential for restoring fairness, the government will also have to consider fiscal implications and overall wage bill sustainability.
With formal consultations expected to continue through 2026, the recommendations of staff side organisations are likely to play a significant role in shaping the final structure of the next pay commission’s report.
