On 11th July 1960, the Central Government Employees went on an Indefinite Strike on important demands like Minimum Wage, DA etc. which continued for 5 days before withdrawing under the brutal attack, suppression, victimisation and harassment from the government. The government promulgated Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) for the first time in independent India and jailed, arrested, terminated and punished thousands of workers who have gone on strike. There was no settlement and it was an unconditional withdrawal before the fury and might of the government. But as the saying goes, no strike is in vain. The government was compelled to reinstate all terminated employees, though other punishments etc. continued. DA was improved and some other demands also settled within a few years.
All those participants in this historic strike are retired and are not in service. But the memory of the courage and bravery of those comrades who led the strike and who participated facing the inhuman and brutal attack of the state machinery for defending the rights of workers and their future will ever be remembered by the present and future generations.
I feel proud that I had the humble opportunity to participate in this great struggle and realise the real face of the government from my own personal experience. I feel also proud, though a comparatively new entrant at that time, I have been also a victim of the brutal attack by the government, which helped me to take the trade union field instead of career prospects.
I salute all those who led and participated in that great struggle. Let its memory be always an inspiration to the present and future generations.