Most of the Central Government employees work in the low ranking Group
'C' positions. They serve in Central Government's Defence, railways and
Health Departments. They are often required to work in night shifts.
Even officials work in night shifts but their numbers are very less.
The production targets fixed by the ministries can never be reached
without night shifts. To such an extent, night shifts have become
essential these days.
Night shift is calculated from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am of the next day.
For every hour of night shift, 10 minutes of the salary of day duty is
gained. Therefore, if one works for a six hours night shift, he will get
6x10=60 minutes, that is an hour of extra salary.
The 7th Pay Commission has not recommended any changes to NDA. If it had
added at least 5 minutes extra for every hour of night shift, all the
employees would have been greatly delighted.
Only when the 7th CPC is implemented the stand of the employees regarding NDA will be known.
It has recommended that the night shift calculation that was used in
the Railways have to be changed and suggested a same method of
calculation to be used in all the Central Government departments; it had
also said that allowance should be given based on the employees' level
Irrespective of the allowances paid, the loss that the night shift
employees incur can never be compensated. The employees lose their good
night's sleep and sacrifice themselves to their service.
Night sleep is essential for proper functioning of all parts of the body
including the brain. Those who do not sleep at night cannot work
properly during the day.
The chances of such employees getting affected by heart diseases
increase. There are chances for their body's immunity to come down.
Mostly, such people will suffer from indigestion,constipation and
stomach ulcer . Medical research tell us that employees who work in
alternating day and night shifts are more susceptible to diabetes than
those who work only in day shifts.
Melatonin hormone secrete only during the night(Dark surrounding) The time between sunrise and sunset is meant for working.
This practice which has been followed for thousands of years has come down to us through our ancestors as a work culture.
Even the opening of buds during the day represents a similar act.
Nightshift is discovered by humans as a by-product of industrial
revolution. It works against nature to increase production.
Night is meant for rest and sleep. When we change this, our bodies
struggle to keep up. Many diseases result are produced in the body due
to the non-secretion of Melatonin.
If the Night Duty Allowance had been slightly increased for employees
who work night shifts that are fraught with such difficulties, it would
have been a welcome change.
If the Central Government and the federations focus on NDA issue and try
to increase it in the recommendations which are going to be implemented
from 1/1/16, all the night duty employees will be very grateful.
The unions which raised their voices demanding changes in the pay
commission's recommendations should also request to being in suitable
changes in NDA.
NDA is not like working and being paid. Night shift is sacrificing good
health and receiving the pay. We do not mean to say that everything will
be okay if allowance is increased. NDA is just a solatium. There is
both the need and urgency to increase it for the sake of employees.
S Vishal
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