Haryana Government Employees Ramp Up Preparations for Nationwide Strike on February 12
In a significant escalation of labor unrest, government employee unions across Haryana have intensified their campaign ahead of the scheduled nationwide strike on February 12. The agitation centers on three core demands that have been simmering for months: restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), regularization of contractual employees, and filling of numerous vacant sanctioned positions across state departments.
Massive Workforce Mobilization Underway
Union leaders reveal that Haryana boasts a substantial government workforce comprising more than three lakh regular employees alongside approximately 1.35 lakh contractual workers. Drawing upon the state's rich history of successful labor movements, employee bodies are making determined efforts to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming industrial action.
Subhash Lamba, national president of the All India State Government Employees Federation and Haryana affairs in-charge, confirmed that hundreds of mobilization teams have already begun canvassing workers across sectors. "Employees from banking, insurance, transport, electricity, healthcare, education, and public health departments will participate in this collective action," Lamba stated on Monday.
Core Demains and Government Response
The nationwide strike primarily protests against the four labor codes designed to replace 29 existing labor laws. However, Haryana's unions have specific state-level grievances that remain unresolved despite government measures.
In response to persistent OPS restoration demands, the Haryana cabinet approved the adoption of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) in June 2025. This central government-notified scheme under the National Pension System (NPS) became effective from August 1, 2025, potentially benefiting over two lakh government employees appointed on or after January 1, 2006.
The UPS offers 50% of the average basic pay from the twelve months preceding retirement for employees completing 25 years of service. It guarantees a minimum pension of Rs 10,000 monthly for those retiring after at least ten years of qualifying service, with families receiving 60% of the last drawn pension upon the pensioner's death.
However, Lamba remains unsatisfied: "From the beginning, our unequivocal demand has been OPS restoration. The UPS was never our request. When Members of Legislative Assembly and Parliament continue enjoying OPS benefits, why has it not been restored for government employees?"
Contractual Employees and Vacancy Concerns
The regularization of nearly 1.35 lakh contractual employees represents another critical demand. Approximately 1.2 lakh workers are engaged under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN), with nearly 15,000 serving as contractual teachers in government schools.
Lamba emphasized that unions seek full regularization rather than limited job guarantees. Ahead of the October 2024 Assembly elections, the Haryana Cabinet approved an ordinance ensuring job security for contractual employees until superannuation. Recently, the government instructed reopening the HKRN Limited portal to update and verify eligible contractual employees' data.
Haryana BJP spokesperson Sanjay Sharma responded: "The job guarantee provided to HKRN employees nearly equals regular employment, offering security until age 58. For regular positions, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission and Haryana Public Service Commission have advertised numerous vacancies with recruitment processes underway."
Sharma urged dialogue over strikes: "Employee bodies should engage in constructive discussions with the government rather than resorting to industrial action. The administration remains willing to positively address their concerns."
As February 12 approaches, Haryana's government employee unions continue strengthening their campaign, leveraging the state's legacy of effective labor movements to pressure authorities into meeting their longstanding demands.
