Employee Unions Propose Expanding Family Unit Size for 8th Pay Commission Calculations

Employee unions and associations are advocating for the 8th Pay Commission to revise the family unit size used in minimum wage calculations from three to five members, reflecting modern household structures and legal responsibilities toward elderly parents. This change could increase the minimum basic pay to around Rs 54,000 and raise the fitment factor to above 3, potentially leading to significant salary hikes. The proposal is under discussion in government consultations and has support from various employee groups.