A Study of Joint Consultative Machinery and Compulsory Arbitration for Central Government Employees

Government of India have set up Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) and Compulsory Arbitration with the object of promoting harmonious relations and obtaining the greatest measure of cooperation between the government in its capacity as employer and the general body of its employees in matters of common concern and with the object further, of increasing the efficiency of the public service. Accordingly, the study has undertaken to assess how far these objectives have been achieved. Since it is meant to cover all the non-gazetted employees of the central government the study hasalso undertaken whether this intended coverage has been maintained. Further this study has exploredwhether this Joint Consultative Machinery is performing as an institution in which employee participation is being ensured in the decision-making of the various policies of the government or it has functioned merely as negotiating body. In addition, this study has also revealed how far the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) and Compulsory Arbitration (CA) has served the purpose for which it was instituted whether the employees have taken this scheme to make them copartners with the Government in determination of terms of their employment. Based on the survey conducted and analyzing the results, suggestions and modifications are proposed to transform this JCM scheme as a real and effective tool for ensuring real participation in management of the public servants.