8th Pay Commission: Unions propose expanding family unit definition to increase fitment factor

Central government employee unions propose expanding the family unit definition from three to five members for the 8th Pay Commission, aiming to increase the fitment factor. This change, they argue, would account for parental care and modern family structures, potentially raising the fitment factor by 0.66, leading to a higher base salary calculation. The concept of three family units dates back to 1957, and unions cite legal responsibilities and increased elderly dependency to justify their demand for an expanded definition.