While BSNLEU and the United Forum through continued struggles and hard bargains got the BSNL employees a very good wage revision fom 01-01-2007 and the same has been implemented, the BSNL order issued one day earlier viz.on 6th May 2010 on the wages of the contract workers in BSNL are not implemented at the field levels. So also in the case of the social security measures like EPF and ESI. There are about 4000 casual labourers who are working more than 10 to 15 years and who have not yet been regularised.
The delegates who spoke in the All India Conference of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation held at Lucknow last week spoke one after another about the extreme exploitation and retrenchment of large number of workers by the management. Workers are engaged by paying a meagre amount not even half of the eligible wage. One delegate spoke stating that he is getting Rs.135/- a month. The house was stunned. This was not the lone voice. Many other comrades also spoke in similar terms.
It is a shame that such cruel and inhuman exploitation is taking place for years in BSNL, where there is a strong trade union movement.The management-contractor nexus is fully guilty of this crime. The poor, unorganised contract worker alone can not fight and get justice. It is necessary for the workers and the contract labour together to fight and see that this inhuman exploitation is put an end to and the rights of the workers are protested and the eligible wages are paid.
This is a shame

A few days earlier, the Economic Times dated 19th September reported that BSNL is likely to cancel the 15 million GSM tender. This is shocking news. After much efforts on the part of JAC,the management has started for e-tender for 15 million GSM. Due to the cancellation of the tenders on earlier occasions ( 45 million lines in 2007 and 95 million in 2008 ) BSNL reached a very difficult situation for development and expansion. On our insistence now, the management has started for e-tender for 15 million lines.
Now reports are coming that the private companies are pressurising the government to cancel the present tender. I strongly demand the management that this tender should not be cancelled.

The long time wish of the BSNL Employees to have a building of their own in Delhi is going to be fulfilled soon. After the decision of the Jaipur Central Executive Committee meeting to purchase the building without further delay, CHQ has moved fast. Many buildings were visited and at last one building has been selected very near to Dada Ghosh Bhawan, where CHQ is functioning. The negotiation is going on and it is expected that the purchasing would be finalised soon.
The K.G.Bose Memorial Trust is going to be registered as per the CEC decision.It is only appropriate that the Building is named as K.G.Bose Bhawan after Com. K.G.Bose, the revolutionary leader of the P&T Workers. The workers will appreciate if such a ecision is taken.

The BSNL workers have enthusiastically implemented the call of the Joint Action Committee by organising the Mass Fast on 27th September in a very big way. The reports received reveal the anger of the workers who have massively participated in the programme. Hundreds of comrades have participated in the dharna in almost all the SSAs. This great success is despite the absence of some unions who have gone out of the JAC. It is reported from many places that even members of NFTE and FNTO who have not given call for Fast have participated. I convey my greetings to all of them who considered the interests of the workers and company more important.
Now all comrades have to immediately start preparations for making the one day strike on 10th October a full success. I am sure that also will a huge success and a warning to the management.

BSNL workers all over India will sit on hunger strike tomorrow, 27th Septemeber at the Corporate office/circle/district levels demanding settlement of their issues and also on the financial viability of BSNL.Participate by maximum numbers and make it completely successful

The Lucknow All India Cinference of BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation held on 24-25 September was really historic. The AIC which was inaugurated by Comrade Basudev Acharaya Member of Parliament and addressed by veteran trade union leaders was a new experience for the 400 and odd delegates who attended the Conference.
The AIC took important decisions on the issues of Contract and casual workers. It has given call for struggles.
Details are put in the BSNLEU website.

The CAG report, the evidences in the court and the latest note of the Finance Ministry – all goes to show that the entire UPA government is involved in this greatest scam directly or indirectly.
That is why at the first stage itself, the government took the stand that there was nothing wrong in the deal and that Communications Minister Raja has not done anything wrong.
But revelations and exposals one after another have shown the culpability of the entire government in this biggest scam. The people of this country are aware of the same.
The moot question is this – Whether the UPA government is prepared to accept the mistakes committed and take action against all those who are involved, however mighty and powerful they may be or cover up the entire issue through administrative and judicial loop holes like in the Bofors case?
The line being taken by the Government will show whether they are sincere to the nation or not.

A long time wish of the BSNL Employees are going to be fulfilled- Own building for the organisation! It was not an easy task.
The Thiruvanathapuram AIC decided to purchase a building for the BSNL Employees Union at New Delhi. The decision was taken very enthusiastically with all the delegates supporting the same. During the last one year donations were collected, but that was not sufficient to purchase a suitable building. But delay would result in increase of the cost of building. Hence the Jaipur Central Executive Committee decided to take loan if necessary to purchase the same. The Circle Secretaries in the CEC offered about Rs. 30 lakh donations to be remitted to CHQ before 31st December 2011 so that the loans can be returned.
A good building near Dada Ghosh Bhawan has been identified and the discussion for purchase is almost at the final stage. It is hoped that the purchase will be completed by November.
The CEC has decided that the building will be named after Comrade K.G.Bose, the revolutionary leader of the P&T TU movement.

The 2nd All India Conference of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation will be held at Lucknow (U.P) from tomorrow, 24th September. The Conference is for two days. Comrade Basudeb Acharya, M.P. will inaugurate the Conference. I, as President of the Federation , will preside.
The issues of the Casual Contract workers will be discussed and decisions taken.