Raise min EPFOpension to Rs5K:UPWJU to min

Lucknow: A delegation of the UP Working Journalist Union (UPWJU) met state labour minister Anil Rajbhar on Wednesday to demand an increase in the minimum monthly pension given by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to retired employees of the private sector, including journalists, from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000.The minister assured the delegation that he would soon meet the Union labour minister and press for the changes demanded by the delegation. The proposal to seek the increase was passed at the Union's provincial conference held in Ayodhya recently. UPWJU president Hasib Siddiqui said that the minimum pension of Rs 1,000 was fixed nearly 15 years ago. "Various state govts are giving pensions of thousands of rupees to different sections of society, including women, while, on the other hand, giving only Rs 1,000 pension to employees who spent several decades of their lives in full-time employment is laughable and unjust," he said.