News are coming from many circles in BSNL that contract workers who have been engaged for 10 to 20 years are being disengaged / retrenched for the only reason that they are fighting to ensure payment of minimum wages as also social security measures. These workers who are engaged for line work, cable work and office work are doing excellent work as can be seen by every body. But they were being paid only 1/4th 1/2 of what they are eligible. The balance was being exploited by the contractor and other vested interests. It is a sorry state of affairs that this injustice is being happening in BSNL, where there are strong and democratic TU organisations.

Today, I got a report from Mathura, where the contract workers under the leadership of BSNL Casual & Contract Workers Federation are on struggle to get minimum wage and implementation of social security measures. They were threatened with arrest and jail if they don’t stop the agitation.

Fortunately, on the intervention of the SSA and Circle Unions of BSNLEU and discussion with the management the issues are reported to have been settled at present. But struggles are taking place in many other stations also. I would request all the Circle and SSA secretaries to take this as a priority issue and ensure that the genuine issues of these low paid workers are got settled.