When it comes to the corporates and MNCs, action comes quick. Within hours of the termination of the illegal 3G roaming services of the three private operators Airtel, Vodafone and Idea  by  DOT in those circles where the companies did not have licence,  the companies went to the TDSAT  and got a stay order.  Yes, the court has not taken any final decision, but only stayed the order.

DOT will have to put up a strong case on its behalf to ensure that the order is correct and legal.

At last, the Lok Pal Bill has been presented in the Parliament. Those who expected a strong bill is disappointed. CBI is not under the Lok Pal and will be used as earlier for the interests of the ruling party as has been seen several times earlier. Many politicians are unhappy with the idea of the bill itself, since they want full freedom to do whatever they want.

The common people are completely dissatisfied and angry that in the day-to-day requirements they have to face the issue of corruption and bribe almost every where. They want an end to it. To what extent this Lok Pal Bill help to remove bribery and corruption ?

After introduction of the 3G services, there is the move for the 4G. It is reported that the major private mobile companies are preparing for the launch of 4G by the end of 2012. Though  customers have taken 3G services, many of them are stated to be inactive. The reason seems to be that most of the important regular  activities can be done by the 2G itself or so. However, the 4G may be different.

What about BSNL and MTNL. is there any preparation by them with regard to 4 G services?

At last the DOT has issued orders to the private operators to immediately terminate the 3G connections in those circles where they do not have licence and is roaming on agreement with other private companies who got licence there. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular have been asked to terminate the services immediately.

As expected the private companies have opposed the termination and have approached TDSAT for cancellation of the DOT orders. The appeal states that this cancellation will give a wrong signal to the business  community. It seems that they want the Court should give them permission to give service illegally?  In the capitalist society the corporates can demand anything from the government, even resort to irregular and illegal activities and try to justify it?

As I have pointed out earlier the licence should be cancelled, the specrtrum taken back and penalty imposed onthe erring operators. Nothing less than this.

Delhi Port Trust is proposing to retrench 500 of its employees through a VRS scheme similar to that of BSNL Scheme. The Port has posted a loss of Rs. 86 crore last year and Rs. 290 crore this year.  The plea of the management is that by sending out 500 workers, it will be able to save 12 crore rupees. The policy of the government seems to be to weaken the PSUs. make it loss making and then introduce VRS to reduce the staff. This is in preparation for the privatisation of the company.  The trade unions in Kochi Port have already decided to go on strike against VRS and other issues.

Our full solidarity and support to the striking workers of Kochi Port \

It is not the politicians alone that is hard hit by the scams and corruption. In connection with the 2G scam, many CEOs and Board Directors have been charged and are under custody/ or on bail. What is happening under the neo-liberalisation policy and the so-called reforms is coming out one after another. Heads of many CEOs/Directors are being rolled.

As per media reports, many had already lost their jobs. Ravi Ruia, high profiled Chairman of Essar Energy, had to resign after the CBI caught him in a case involving Essar Group and Loop Telecom. Dr. J.J.Irani, another high-profile Managing Director of Tata Steel and other Tata companies had to quit following  arrest of another Managing Director (Everon company)  for bribing the Income Tax officials and evading tax.  Vikram Akula, Executive Chairman of SKS Microfinance was compelled to resign after the company posted big loss in the last quarter ending September 2011. Another Director of the same company, Pramod Bhasin, was also fired for the loss. Shahid Balwa and Chandan Bhattacharya, Managing Director and director of the DB Realty had to quit in connection with the 2G scam. Joint Managing Director and CEO of JSW Energy, Lailt Kumar Gupta had to resign from the company.

It is reported that more than 500 CEOs/Directors/Independent Directors of private companies have been compelled to quit in the recent months for one reason or other. This raises a reasonable question the workers have been raising many times. There is big corruption at high levels. As and when it suits the company, they continue. But when it is exposed or is working against the company, they are fired.  Those who are criticising the Public Sector should take not e of the above fact.

Again, when there is loss to the private companies, the CEOs/Directors are fired. What about the PSUs?. When there is profit, the top management is awarded. But when there is loss, the workers are fired under VRS. If management is credited when there is profit, they are also responsible for the loss and has to be fired.

The Central Board of Trustees of the EPFO, which met yesterday failed to take a decision on the interest rate of EPF for the year 2011-12, due to differences between the government, employers and the employees. The Advisory Body of EPFO, Finance and Investment Committee (FIC) had suggested 8.25% interest for 2011-12, stating that more than that will not be possible as per the present financial situation of the EPFO. The employers were in support of the same.

The representatives of the Unions strongly contended this and demanded that like last year it should be 9.5%. They pointed out that the interest on the inoperative accounts coming to hundreds of crore rupees be transferred to active subscribers and also pointed out the estimated error, which if corrected, will get more % for the interest rates. They also pointed out that how can EPFO pay less than the 8.6% interest which is offered by the government unde the Public Provident Fund Scheme(PPFS). No decision could be taken in the meeting in view of the sharp differences. The issue may now be referred to the Finance Ministry.

The trade Unions can not agree for a reduced % of interest when the interest rates on borrowings, deposits are increasing. The present proposed cut is one more attack on the hard earned money of the workers. It has got to be resisted.

On the eve of X-Mas and New Year 2012, I wish all my Comrades, Friends and Well Wishers

A VERY HAPPY X-MAS AND NEW YEAR!  LET THE NEW YEAR BE A YEAR OF JOY, SUCCESS AND SATISFACTION!

V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI

The demands focussed in the 28th February Strike are:

1. Concrete measures to contain price rise 2) Concrete measures for linkage of employment protection with the concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs 3) Strict Enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws 4) universal social  security cover for the unorganised sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendations of NECUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour  5) Stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs 6) No contractorisation of work of permanent / perennial nature and payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry / establishment 7) Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wages at not less than Rs. 1,000/- 8) Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund: increase the quantum of gratuity 9) Assured Pension for all and 10)Compulsory Registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate rectification of the ILO Conventions numbers 87 and 98.

These covers the main demands of the workers in almost all sections. These demands should be propagated with details by the leaders at all levels in preparation for the strike on 28th February 2012

The Convention called by the Central Trade Unions to discuss about the one day strike on 28th February 2012 at New Delhi was attended by a large number of Federations / Unions in addition to the Central Trade Unions viz. INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, BMS, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA. Shri G.Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC presided and briefed the house about the decision for strike on 28th February and invited delegates to make suggestions for making it a grand success. The leaders of the Federations / Unions including Railways, Defence, Central Government / State government and other public and private sector, addressed the house. On behalf of BSNLEU, Com. P.Abhimanyu and on behalf    of BSNLCCWF Myself spoke and supported the strike decision and assured that the BSNL workers and Casual/contract workers will fully participate in the strike.

Com. Tapan Sen, GS, CITU,  concluding the discussion proposed to hold State level Conventions  to prepare the workers for the strike and to give maximum propaganda amongst the people.

For the BSNL and Casual and Contract workers, extra propaganda and campaign are required since they have already gone on a one day strike recently on 15th December. Effort should also be made to bring all the executive and non-executive associations/unions in this strike. I have already discussed this issue with the Central TU leaders with regard to their affiliated unions in BSNL. I had discussions with the unions in MTNL also.

Let us put all our efforts to make the strike a big success and a warning to the government that if the demands are not settled, further agitations will continue.