The meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council was held today. A large number of issues were discussed, a brief note of which may be posted in the BSNLEU website. But two most important issues of the Casual and Contract workers were also raised in the Committee.

1. IDA wages for the casual labour, instead of CDA wages – The Union strongly reiterated its demand that the casual labour working in BSNL should be given daily wage of 1/30th of the minimum scale of the lowest pay scale (in the case of unskilled workers). The management is now paying 1/30th of the group D in the government. This should be changed to IDA wages. The management side agreed to examine the issue positively.

2. Implementation of minimum wage and social security measures to the contract workers – The management assured that the orders on the above issues will be implemented. Circle heads have already been instructed to implement them.

I met the GM (Admn), Shri Neeraj Verma, who also assured that strict instructions have been issued to all circles to implement the minimum wage, social security measures etc. However, unless the workers and the unions continuously pressurise, the situation will not improve.