21st December 2011

Today, the meeting started at 0930 hrs (NST). The Sri Lankan delegates Bros.  Rohanlal Nissanka (TOU) and H.K.Hettiarachchi (TEDA)   submitted their country reports on the developments on the company as well as the union matters. BroMd. Mofizul Islam Ointu (BATESKOP) from Bangladesh also submitted  his report. All reports were very informative.

The house then discussed about the organising of the unorganised /outsourced workers, Professional and management service personnel etc. Certain guidance on these were  given by the organisers.

Since the meeting was being held at Nepal and more delegates were present from the country, detailed discussion took place regarding the organisational issues with particular reference to Nepal.

After the summing up by the Director of the session, Bro. Kun and thanksgiving, the council ended by about 13.30 hours.  The next Council meeting was decided to be held at Dacca in Bangladesh. The meeting  was a good experience to know how the unions are organised in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh etc.

Reception at TEAN Office

Immediately after the Council meeting, a reception was held at the Union office of the Telecommunication Employees Association of Nepal (TEAN), which is situated in the office of the General Manager ( Head of the Company) of the Nepal telecommunications. BSNLEU and TEAN have got a long close association and  leaders of both unions used at attend the conferences of the other union. It was a reception for me and Bro.Kun. I had visited the union office earlier also. All the Executive Committee members were there. In addition, one of the Directors of the Board, Com. Thankalal Shrestha, a former President of the Union and its nominee in the Board, Gopal Dhakal, Advisor and another  former President were also present.( In the Nepal Telecommunications, one member of the Board is nominated by the recognised union).The President, Com. Asok Karn welcomed us and presented flower bouquets and mementos. On behalf of BSNLEU I honoured Coms. Shrestha and Asok Karn, former and present presidents by putting red shawls on their shoulders. Some sweets I brought from Delhi were also supplied to the comrades present. Both Kun and myself made very brief speeches and I invited TEAN leaders to attend BSNLEU All India Conference to be held at Ludhiana next year.

Since my flight to New Delhi was at 1700 hours, I started immediately in the vehicle arranged by Comrade Karn. One of the executive committee members  accompanied me to the air-port. There was heavy traffic and I was worried a little about reaching the airport in time. However without much delay I reached. The flight was in time and I reached back at Delhi by about 1900 hours.

The UNI council meeting was very educative and I was happy that I participated.