Monthly Archives: August 2014

Hiroshima Bombed – Mass Murder by US

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

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59 years are over after the mass murder and destruction of Hiroshima by the US on 6th August 1945 by dropping the first atom bomb any where in the world. The World War II was almost over with Japan and other axis countries surrendering to the US-Russia-Britain allies. There was no necessity at at all to drop such an atom bomb, since the war was already over.

US wanted revenge on the people of Japan and utilised the opportunity to test its atom bomb. Hiroshima was completely destroyed. 70,000 people burned and died on the spot. Another 70,000 died later due to burns. Many thousands were deeply wounded and disabled for life. But the US lust for murder was not over. It put another bomb on the city of Nagasaki on 9th August again killing about 90,000 or more.

Atom, Hydrogen and nuclear bombs are piled with the super powers. These are bombs with the power of hundreds of times of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What will happen if some of them are fired to targets, even by mistake. It is stated that the bomb-piles are capable of destroying the earth several times.

Peace is the only alternative. While we remember all those lakhs of people who died and lived dying, the UN and all others should make all out efforts to get all these atomic weapons destroyed for ever.

Government got Rs. 35,792 crores from Telecom Companies

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL News

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Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated in the Parliament on 4th August 2014 that the Government got a total of Rs. 35,792 crores from the telecom companies during the last three years. The income for the three years are as below: Rs. 11,396.2 crore (2011-12), Rs. 11,439.27 crore ( 2012-13) Rs. 12,957 crore (2013-14).

This includes the amount paid by the BSNL and MTNL also.

Govt. plans for Telecom Finance Corporation

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in PSU, Telecom

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In a reply to a question in Parliament, Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that it is proposed to set up a Telecom Finance Corporation which will be registered as a non-banking and non-deposit infrastructure company. It will be a Public Sector Company under the administrative control of DOT.
The Telecom Finance Corporation is intended to help the private telecom operators, who require massive funds for expansion, there is no doubt about the same. It is expected to be started by 2017. Whether there will be any benefit for the PSUs, BSNL and MTNL?

August 5 – Friedrich Engels’ Death Anniversary

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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Today, 5th August 2014, is the 119th Death Anniversary of Friedrich Engels, who died on this day in 1895.
Engels was the close associate of Karl Marx and co-author of Manifesto of the Communist Party. They jointly wrote and published many books on capitalism and how to change and move to Socialism.

Red salute to the memory of Friedrich Engels !

Press Release by Forum on report of consultant.

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL News

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.

Press Release 05th August, 2014

BSNL Employees to organise Protest Demonstrations
on 12th August, 2014

The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has called upon the Employees to organize massive demonstrations on 12th August against the M/s Deloittee Committee report recommending retrenchment of more than 70,000 employees, engagement of executives on contract basis, reduction of SSAs from 334 to 167 and concentration of power at Circle (State) level, resulting in deterioration of services. The social obligation of the government to provide universal service is given a go-bye and restructure is suggested on the basis of revenue only, that too erroneously.

The retrenchment of thousands of workers and induction of executives on contract basis is recommended based on the wrong propaganda that the increased wages of employees are the main reason for the loss of BSNL. But the fact is that for the last four years, there has not been any increase in the total wage bill. On the other hand, it has been reduced due to the retirement of 10,000 – 15,000 employees every year. Even with one lakh more workers, BSNL was reaping huge profits up to 2009 – 2010.

The loss to BSNL has been due to the reduction in revenue from the earlier Rs.40,000 crore to Rs.26,000 crores within these years, which happened mainly due to non-procurement of equipment like mobile lines, cables, Broadband modem, drop wire, telephone instruments etc. It is also to be noted that BSNL Management is canceling requests for landline telephones stating that there is no feasibility to provide them.

The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations have been crusading for the last many years to provide a better service to the customers, but which has been stone walled by the Govt. and Management by not procuring necessary equipment. The top level Management, mostly ITS officers on deputation from govt., and not absorbed in BSNL, are casual and least interested on the growth of the company.

The report of the Deloittee consultant is prepared in tune with the neo-liberal policy being implemented by the govt. to weaken and privatise the telecom PSUs. One of these, Videsh Sanchar NIgam Ltd. (VSNL), has been handed over to Tata years back. It is in this context that the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations have given call to organize massive demonstrations against the anti-BSNL, anti-worker report on 12th August, at Corporate Office, Circle & SSA levels.

Forum demands the Govt. and BSNL Management to outrightly reject the report and start discussion with the Unions / Associations to improve BSNL and it’s services.

Sd/-

V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener
Mob: 09868231431

Forum writes to Communications Minister on Consultant’s report on BSNL

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL News

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As decided in the meeting of the Forum held on 4th August, the Forum has finalised the letter to Communications Minister seeking him to reject the report of the Consultant M/s Deloitte since it is neither beneficial to BSNL nor to the workers. The letter will be signed by the unions/associations and sent to the Minister. The letter is given below:

FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.
Forum/GL 05.08.2014

To

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad,
Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT,
Government of India
20, Ashoka Road, Sanchar Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110 001

Respected Sir,

Sub: – Recommendations of M/s Deloittee consultants on restructuring, financial viability and revival of BSNL – reg.

On behalf of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations representing the BSNL employees, we would like to bring to your kind notice about the report of the M/s Deloittee consultants, which if implemented, will seriously and adversely affect BSNL services and it’s employees.

The consultant M/s Deloittee was appointed by BSNL Management to improve the financial viability and revival of BSNL. Neither the Unions / Associations of employees, who are important stake holders of the Company, have been informed about the appointment of consultant, nor were called to give their opinions or suggestions. This is completely different from the past, when the opinion / suggestions were sought from the Unions / Associations and issues presented. It is not understood why the Unions / Associations are bye-passed.

A perusal of the report makes it clear, that the intention is to retrench more than 70,000 Non-Executive workers, introduce contract engagement of executives, deny career progression to Non-Executives and so on. The basis on which the consultants have proposed the report is that the loss for BSNL is due to the large wage bill. The assumption is completely baseless.

It can be seen from the annual reports that the wages of employees have not increased for the last few years, but has reduced marginally. The point that wage bill has increased to 50% of the revenue is solely due to the fact that the Revenue has come down from about Rs.40,000 a year to Rs.26,000 or so due to non-procurement of equipment like mobile lines, cables, telephone instruments, broadband modem, drop wire etc. as also inefficient management. Had the revenue increased to Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 or so, the % of wage bill would have reduced to 25% or less.

Instead of procuring equipment and streamlining the organisation, the consultant has suggested to reduce the present 330 + SSAs to a mere 167, concentrating powers at circle level, closure of telecom factories etc. which are completely counter productive. The govt.’s social obligation to provide connection in rural and remote areas seems to be completely forgotten.

In these circumstances, the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations strongly oppose the M/s Deloittee report. We request the Communications Minister to ensure that the anti-BSNL, anti-worker report is rejected and that fruitful discussions are held with the Unions / Associations to improve financial viability and a better service to the people.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Press report of Forum published in Ganashakti

04 Monday Aug 2014

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INN
New Delhi, August 4: V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations has issued the following statement:
The Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations, representing the two and half lakh employees in BSNL, strongly oppose the anti-worker and anti-BSNL report presented by the M/s Deloitte Consultants on the financial viability and revival of BSNL.
The report has been finalized without even consulting the Unions / Associations which represent the workers and are important stake holders. The Unions / Associations are on the crusade for the improvement, expansion of the services, financial viability etc. and have been presurising the Govt. and Management for urgent procurement of required mobile and other equipments. The BSNL Management and the Consultants have been dealing the issue in an arbitrary manner.
The portion of the report which is available with us, gives a shocking picture. It is proposed to reduce the present 330 + SSAs in to 167 Area offices and reduce the non-executive staff like RM, TM, Sr.TOA etc who are interacting with the subscribers and attending field level work to less than half of the present number of about 2 lakhs. This will result in deterioration of the services. Public will be put to much difficulties.
There has not been any mentionable recruitment to the above cadres and after formation of BSNL in 2000, more than one lakh thirty thousand workers have retired without any new replacement. Further, reduction will have drastic repercussion on the service.
It is understood that the Consultant had recommended to close or privatize the telecom factories under BSNL, which are manufacturing telecom equipments and infrastructure for many decades even during the British days. There has been much pressure from the private companies on the govt. for closure of these telecom factories so as to increase their business and profits.
The consultant recommends more and more outsourcing, instead of utilizing the available manpower, which will result in unnecessary expenditure. This is also meant for cheap labour of contract workers instead of regular employees.
The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations strongly oppose the M/s. Deloitte recommendation and demand the BSNL Management and Govt. to immediately discuss with the Unions / Associations, before any decision is taken in the matter. (Ganashakti)

Solidarity of Greece Workers to Palestine

04 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in TU News - International, TUI of P&R, WFTU

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Greece: Palestine solidarity activity held by PAME and WFTU
01 Aug 2014
GREECE, PALESTINE, SOLIDARITY

On July 31st, the All Workers Militant Front (PAME) of Greece and the WFTU held in Athens, Greece, at the national football stadium of Aegaleo, a massive event of solidarity with the People of Palestine. The act of solidarity was attended buy thousands of workers and included a solidarity soccer match and cultural acts.

Valentin Pacho Quispe, Deputy General Secretary of the WFTU, the consul of the Palestinian Authority in Greece Mohhamed Abu Apha, Yota Tavoulari, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical workers of Greece and Mohamed Iqnaibi, representative of the General Union of Palestinian Workers (GUPW) were present and addressed the meeting. Also, the Federation of Palestinian Women sent a solidarity message that was read during the activity.

The WFTU was represented by Valentin Pacho Quispe, who delivered the following address:

“I’m here with you on behalf of the World Federation of Trade Unions to express the feeling of the 90 million workers from the 5 continents of solidarity with the people of Palestine and energetic condemnation of the genocide against the Palestinian brothers perpetrated by the imperialist government of Israel.

The working class and the peoples of the world, with great indignation hold large demonstrations condemning the criminal government of Israel. The unions affiliated to the WFTU on every continent hold actions of solidarity with the Palestinian people and demand punishment for those responsible -for government of Israel- for crimes against humanity.

Also, many governments – by the demand of the workers in Latin America, as my country Peru, have withdrawn their ambassadors from Israel in an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people and protest against the criminal actions of the Zionist government of Israel.

The people of Palestine are not alone, they have the solidarity of the peoples of the world. WFTU condemns the imperialist governments of the United States and the countries of the European Union, these hypocrites who shamelessly support the Zionist and racist government of Israel.

The struggle and resistance of the Palestinian people will be victorious. Because when you fight for a just cause, it ends in victory. So the WFTU will always stand by the Palestinian people, until they gain their own independent and sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem.

Honor and glory to the resistance of the Palestinian people!
Long live international solidarity!”

Organise Massive Protest Demonstrations on 12th August 2014 against anti-worker Consultant report

04 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, BSNLEU, Forum

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The Meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations held today, 4th August 2014 has decided to organise massive demonstrations on 12th August at Corporate Office, Circles and SSAs against the anti-worker, anti-BSNL recommendations of the Consultant M/s Deloitte appointed by the BSNL to recommend on the financial viability and revival of BSNL. The recommendations are intended to retrench more than 70,000 non-executive employees, reducing the number of SSAs from 330 to 167, concentrating the work to Circle offices, engaging of Off Roll ( contract ) Executives etc. There will be no promotional prospects for the non-executives, and almost the same for the executives. Neither the Consultant, nor the BSNL Management has taken the employees or their unions/associations in to confidence in the matter, keeping these important shareholders completely in the dark. This seems to be a dark conspiracy. Naturally the employees are enraged. The decision of the Forum to organise mighty demonstrations on 12th August, when the meeting of the Heads of Circles is being held in Corporate Office, Delhi is most appropriate.
The Forum has already written to the management to furnish a full copy of the report and demanded discussion on the report. The Forum is seeking a meeting with the Communications Minister also.
The Joint Action Committee /Forum has earlier defeated such attacks on the workers like VRS and Disinvestment through united struggles. This time also it will be not be different. But unity and determination is a must. Let us meet each and every BSNL employee and prepare them for sustained struggles to achieve victory.

Insurance Bill will not be taken today in Rajya Sabha

04 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, PSU, TU News - India

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The strong protest and opposition from the opposition parties had its effect. The Insurance Bill proposing to increase FDI from 25% to 49% in the Insurance Sector, which was proposed to be taken today in the Rajya Sabha, is not in the list of bills for today. The NDA Government could not get sufficient numbers to support in Rajya Sabha where it is in minority.
The All India Insurance Employees Association has called for strike on the day on which the Insurance Bill will be taken for discussion. BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF have given full support to the decision and will organise support actions.