Monthly Archives: October 2015

Resolutions Adopted in the BSNLCCWF All India Conference

15 Thursday Oct 2015

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In addition to the Resolution on Policy and Programme, some other resolutions also have been adopted by the AIC of BSNLCCWF held at nagercoil on 3-4 October 2015. Some of them are given below:

Resolution on struggle against anti-worker polices of Central Government.

The 2nd September 2015 General Strike has come out as a historic one. It is the biggest strike since the introduction of the new liberal economic policy in India. Ten Central Trade Unions and Bank , Insurance , Railways, Defiance, Confederation of Central Govt. employees, All India State Govt. Employee federation and BSNL unions took part in the strike . Though the BMS withdraw from the strike in the last moment on pressure from the RSS, it did not make much difference. CITU played a leading role . More then 15 Cores workers directly participated in the strike and raised their voice against anti-people, anti- worker new liberal policies incorporated by the ruling BJP Govt. As per the call of BSNLCCWF, the BSNL Casual and contract workers   fully participated in the strike as they have participated on earlier strikes called by the CTUs.

Strike notice was served  on the 12 point charter of demands,  to contain price rise, to stop disinvestment of PSUs, opposing  amendment of labour laws which are against the interest of  workers, demanding Rs.15,000  as minimum wage,  implementation of existing labour laws, extension of social security benefits to all workers , Universal public distribution etc. Since the Govt. rejected workers’ demands,  the nationwide 16th General strike was successfully held.

The Central Trade Unions have again discussed on the demands raised and decided to go on further struggle.

This 3rd AIC  of BSNLCCWF held at Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu  on 3-4 October 2015 congratulates the casual contract workers for their full participation  and resolves to continue the struggle on the demands raised in the strike.

 Resolution on Implementation of Calls from WFTU

The 3rd All India Conference of BSNLCCWF held at Nagercoil, Tamilnadu  on 3-4 October 2015 resolves  to be fully involved with the activities of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and as are integral part of WFTU proclaims that against the imperialist dominance and onslaughts upon the working class of the world the resistance raised by the WFTU by worldwide protest programs strengthening   international solidarity of workers.  BSNLCCWF will fully co-operate in implementing the same.

The newly adopted technique by the Capitalist forces in the name of LPG has opened the field of enormous exploitation  and sufferings of workers in the different countries of the world. Neo-Liberal economic policy with all its evil means has imposed ruthless attack on the workers. Undeveloped and Under developed countries have become a hunting place of big corporates with the support of the pro-private Governments of these states. The same situation prevails in developed countries also. In this scenario, WFTU is plying a vital role to unite the workers of the world. Every year, 3rd October is being observed as International Day of Action  by the workers of the world under the leadership of WFTU. BSNLCCWF  can never be a mute spectator when the attack on the Casual & Contract workers of our country is increasing day by day.

So, as a part of the international working class and to extend solidarity, BSNLCCWF resolves to take decision from this conference to operate as an integral part of the world Federation of Trade Unions and sustained struggle for the cause of the BSNL Casual Contract workers and for the workers of the world.

Resolution on Regularization of Casual /Contract Labour.

The Casual / Contract workers engaged in BSNL are carrying out the jobs being done by the regular workers for several years. There is no recruitament especially is RM/Telecom Mechanic/ Sr,. TOA etc. The service of casual / contract workers are utilized to perform the duties of all these cadres. The Contract workers are  qualified and skilled.

This Conference of CCWF being held at  Nagercoil  on 3-4 October 2015 demands the management to take immediate steps to regularize the casual and contract workers in BSNL.

Resolution against victimization of workers in Kerala Circle.

 

The Casual / Contract workers of Kerala has conducted a series of struggles in  June, July and August 2015 for realisation of their 18 point charter of demands.  BSNLEU and SNEA  supported the agitation by conducting Dharnas and Day night sathyagraha in addition to other forms of organizational activities. The BSNL circle management has taken vindictive actions against the workers and leaders who have even visited  the agitation spot of CCLU. The Circle leaders of BSNLEU and SNEA were issued with show case notices, dies non etc. A joint action Committee comprising BSNLEU, SNEA and CCLU has been formed and conducted joint agitation including indefinite hunger strike and non Co-operation . The management has suspended 15 BSNLEU and SNEA leaders and charge sheet has been issued. A number of false FIR  has been filed. The working atmosphere of Kerala has been spoiled by the CGM with these brutal victimizations.

This AIC of BSNLCCWF expresses its  solidarity to the suspended Kerala comrades and  also strong protest against the vindictive action and demands the management to withdraw all vindictive actions including suspension and charge sheets.

Resolution

This All India conference of BSNLCCWF held at Nagercoil on 3-4 October 2015 expresses its heartfelt thanks to the Reception Committee for the excellent arrangements made for  holding this conference in a  very effective manner . This AIC also thanks this various organizations which  helped in holding this conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGM of Postal and RMS Pensioners’ Association

15 Thursday Oct 2015

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The First Annual General Body Meeting of the All India Postal and RMS Pensioners Association(AIPRPA) was held today at RK Puram  Community Hall. I was invited to participate and attended and addressed. The AGM was presided over by Com.RK Rahate President and inaugurated by Com.KKN Kutty, Chairman Confederation of CG Employees and Workers. Com.K.G.Jayaraj greeted on behalf of AIBDPA.

Leaders of NFPE, FNTO, AIBDPA, NCCPA etc. were present and addressed. The AIPRPA formed was formed one year back and has steadily strengthened. Com.K.Raghavendran is the General Secretary. My hearty congratulations to the AIPRPA and its members!

Netaji Files will be declassified and released – Prime Minister

14 Wednesday Oct 2015

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the family members of Subhas Chandra Bose that the secret Netaji files with the central will be declassifed and the first batch of them will be released on 23rd January, which is the birthday of Netaji.

Let us hope that this assurance will be remembered by the PM and implemented and will not be just like other assurances, many of which are  yet to be implemented.

 

Mammoth Left Rally against Communalism on 16th October at Kolkata

14 Wednesday Oct 2015

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Kolkata, October 14th – 6 prominent Left Parties of the state today met at Muzaffar Ahmad Bhawan in Kolkata today and has announced that a mammoth rally against communalism and imperialism will take place in Kolkata on 16th October. Announcing this on behalf of 6 Left parties of State CPI(M) Politbureau Member Biman Basu said that all those mass organizations and Left political groups who are against communalism and imperialism, especially in the light of the fact that after the BJP Government has sworn to office there has been over 1000 communal  riots in the country, are welcomed to join this rally. .Every participating organizations can carry its own placards and join the rally. He also invited the personalities who work in the arts and cultural field to join on that date.

Along with Biman Basu, the leaders of the Left Parties viz. Probodh Panda (CPI),Khsithi Goswami (RSP), Naren Chatterjee (Forward Block)Partha Ghosh (CPI(ML )Liberation) and Deboprasad Sarkar (SUCI ) took part in the meeting . In the press conference CPI(M) Politbureau Member Biman Basu also welcomed the decision of various authors and luminaries to return their awards in protest against the murder of Prof Kalburgi, Govind Panesar and Narendra Dabholkar  and against the Dadri Incident and the growing religious intolerance being promoted by the BJP led Union Government.

‘The BJP Government is trying to build up an unknown India where people cannot abide by their culture and taste’ West Bengal has got a rich heritage of standing up to communal divide and following that ethics  steps should be taken to arrest the communal divide‘ CPI(M) Politbureau Member Biman Basu said in the press conference .(PTI)

 

 

Wage Revision and Pay Revision Committee in BSNL

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in BSNL News, CG Employees

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As is well known, Pay Revision Committee (PRC) for the executives of all the Central PSUs used to be appointed by the Government, which will recommend the pay scales to be implemented according to the status of the PSU being decided by it on several criteria. This was done for the last time in 2007.

For the non-executives in each PSU, the management will discuss the wage revision with the recognised union/s and the Wage Agreement reached will be implemented. Last time this was done in BSNL also w.e.f. 01-01-2007.

Now it is understood that the Government is proposing Pay Revision of executives for each  PSU separately as was done in the case of non-executives.

But the important matter is that it is high time that the Pay Revision / Wage revision in BSNL should start without delay. The recognised unions should take up the matter with out any delay. Once the recommendations of the VII Central Pay Commission are out, the demand will become stronger.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour – Detailed report

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

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Meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour  at Mumbai on 12th October 2015

A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour was held at Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai, on the Issues of casual and contract labour in BSNL. The meeting was attended by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, John Verghese, Asst. General secretary, BSNLEU and N.K.Nalwade, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Maharashtra. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Virendra Kumar, M.P., Chairman of the Committee and was attended by more than 15 Members of Parliament. The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), The Central EPF Commissioner and the Central ESI Commissioner were also present.

The union leaders pointed out that despite many efforts on the part of the union, the BSNL Management has not taken any effort for the regularization of the more than 4000 left out casual labours. Either they can be regularized in the same way as done by the Customs, Income Tax, Central Excise etc. as per the directions of the DOP and T or by preparing a scheme as proposed in the SC judgment itself. The EPF has been implemented w.e.f. 01-10-2000 for Casual labour and the same should be made applicable to the contract labour also. The wages of the casual labour should be fixed as the minimum scale of BSNL, instead of DOT since they are working in BSNL for the last 15 years.

Minimum Wages should be ensured to the contract, which is not implemented in many states. Specific instances like UP, Maharashtra Circles were pointed out.  The brutal exploitation of contract labour was explained with detailed information. Social Security measures like ESI and EPF are not implemented in most of the places. The regularization of contract labour was also raised. The unions also requested for an inquiry in the matter of non-implementation of the labour laws. A detailed Memorandum on all the issues was presented to the Chairman, Standing Committee with copy to all the MPs and Labour Officers along with a copy of the book published by the BSNLCCWF on the casual contract workers.

The Chairman and other Members of the Committee appreciated our points and stated that they will discuss the same with the Management.

After the evidence of the Unions, the BSNL Management was called. CMD BSNL, Director (HR), GM(Estt) and other senior officers attended the meeting from the management side.

 

 

We Condemn the Paint Attack on Sudhir Kulkarni

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

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We strongly condemn the paint attack on Sudhir Kulkarni by the Shiv Sena activists for his decision of releasing a book of a Pakistan author. This is one more instance of blatant intolerism and Communal madness. It is to the credit of Sudhir Kulkarni that despite the paint attack, he participated in the function.

Such incidents should be condemned by all right thinking persons.

Dasaratha Deb, the unparalleled Communist Leader

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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The CPI(M) is observing the Birth Centenary of Comrade Dasaratha Deb, former Chief Minister of Tripura, four times MP and  veteran Communist Leader, whose entire life was a big struggle for the people of Tripura and the tribals specially. The militant struggle of the people of Tripura against the king and his overthrow is history. When he was  elected to the Parliament for the first time in 1952 (the first general elections), he was facing arrest and was underground. It was only on the intervention of the Speaker of the Parliament, that the arrest warrant was withdrawn. He fought for the unity of the tribals and the non-tribals in Tripura and became the Chief Minister. He expired on 14th October 1998. Dasaratha Deb was born in 1916.

Remembering Comrade Dasaratha Deb is an inspiration for any Communist. His life and struggles require deep study and recording for the future generations.

 

K P Sharma Oli, Veteran Communist sworn in Nepal PM

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

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Veteran Communist leader K P Sharma Oli was today sworn in as Nepal’s 38th Prime Minister, a day after he was elected in Parliament with support from smaller parties.
Oli, 63, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Baran Yadav at his official residence here. Prime Minister Oli has formed a small cabinet incorporating two Deputy Prime Ministers and five ministers.
In voting held in Parliament yesterday, Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) chairman Oli garnered 338 votes, 39 more than the 299 that he needed to be elected as prime minister while Koirala, the former Nepal Congress Prime Minister could secure only 249 votes. A total of 587 members cast their votes. Lawmakers were not allowed to stay neutral during the voting.
While Oli was backed by UCPN-Maoist, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic and some fringe parties; four Madhes parties in the United Democratic Madhesi Front had supported NC leader Koirala who himself became prime minister with the support from CPN-UML in 2014.
Our Hearty Congratulations to the new Nepal Prime Minister!

 

Telecom TU Movement (10) – Calcutta CWC Meeting and Sanchar Bhawan March

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

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Calcutta CWC Meeting – 18-20 March 1993

The Central Working Committee of E.III Union was held at Calcutta from 18th to 20th of March 1993. Calcutta comrades had made convenient arrangements for the holding of the CWC. It was held at Yuba Kendra, Moulali, in the centre of the city.

The three day CWC gave a clarion call to the leaders and workers to rise above the differences and help settling the problems in E.III Union through discussions so that the Telecom workers can unitedly  organize struggles for defending their rights and interests in the face of severe attacks  due to the retrograde policies of the central government resulting in the threat of massive and indiscriminate computerization and consequential danger of redundancy, retrenchment, mass scale transfers etc.

The CWC was presided over by V.A.N.Namboodiri, President and Moni Bose, General Secretary, presented the report on activities. It strongly protested against the move of corporatization and privatization of telecom services. A strong and united movement is required to resist the anti-worker proposals. The CWC meeting adopted a 30 Points Charter of Demands, including the upgradation of all officials to the restructured cadre after training and re-training. The CWC appealed to SG, NFTE to end disruption of E.III Union and accept democratic functioning.

In order to achieve the demands in the charter, the following programmes of action were decided:

  1. 09-23 April 1991 : Charter of Demands Campaign
  2. 04 May 1993 : Charter of Demands Day
  3. 17-21 May 1993 : Demonstration Week
  4. 04 June 1993 : Dharna

E.III Union requested for joint programmes to SG, but he flatly refused.

However, all these programme were successfully implemented by the E.III Union.

March to Sanchar Bhawan – 18th August 1993

On the call of the All India Telecom Employees Union Class III (E.III Union), about one thousand telecom workers made their presence felt on the streets of the capital culminating in a massive dharna in front of Sanchar Bhawan on 18th August 1993. They came from almost all states by train, buses and other public vehicles. The well decorated and commodious hall of Hindu Mahasabha provided the accommodation for those coming from distant places that needed overnight stay. Others who came by buses/tempos etc. assembled in front of the Mavlankar Hall and finally these streams converged in to the dharna in front of Sanchar Bhawan, the office of the Secretary, DOT.  The Sanchar Bhawan March was in continuation of the four phased programmes adopted at the Calcutta CWC meeting for the realisation of the 30 Point Charter of Demands.

Section 144 was in vogue in the entire area and the telecom administration denied entry inside Sanchar Bhawan as a matter of routine practice. The only course left was to defy the 144 and hold the dharna in the prohibited area, just in front of Sanchar Bhawan. Banners and festoons, posters and placards and shouting of slogans – all these indicated the militancy and the struggle-mood of the workers. The whole area was surrounded by van loads of police and para-military forces. They contemplated mass arrests for violating the law. It was the direct intervention of the TU leaders and MPs which saved the situation.

Exactly at 10.00 AM, the dharna started with V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President of the union, in the chair. The General Secretary, Moni Bose, welcomed the participants and explained that the purpose of the programme was to break the stalemate and securing justice from the department for the settlement of the fully justified 30 Points Charter of Demands. It was also to show the solidarity of the telecom workers to fight the menace of large-scale privatisation, which was in the offing. The President hailed the workers’ indomitable spirit exhibited in their massive participation. A good number of women comrades were also present.

Com. Suseela Gopalan, M.P., Chairman of the  Co-Ordinating Committee of P and T Unions in Kerala and a Member of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Communications Ministry, inaugurated the dharna. She hailed the fighting spirit of telecom workers and assured full help and co-operation in the struggle. Com. Saifudheen Choudhary, M.P., greeted the participants  and declared that their struggles for realization of the justified demands will get support from all sides. Com. Ram Vilas Paswan, M.P., strongly criticized the government policies and called upon the telecom workers  to fight for the reversal of such anti-people policies. Com. Chitta Basu, M.P., spoke and gave full support. The leaders of the P and T TU movement, Coms. B.K.Banerjee, RL Bhattacharjee, P.S.Raman Kutty, R.S.Yadav and others addressed the dharna.

The leaders urged upon the telecom workers to play the van guard role in organizing a joint united movement of all central government employees for the realization of basic demands and ensure that the  proposed strike of CG employees by the end of September be a resounding success. The “United Struggle Day” on 25th August is to be organized in an effective manner to prepare the ground for the strike in September, in case the demands are not conceded by the government.

All the leaders appealed the telecom workers to respond to the call of the union and participate in the General Strike and Bharat Bandh on 9th September 1993, to fall in line with the people of our country for  the reversal of the wrong economic policies of the central government and against communalism.

After the Dharna was over, the important functionaries of the union at Circle and district levels assembled at the Dharmashala Hall under the presidentship of V.A.N.Namboodiri. R.S.Yadav, B.P.Singh, J.Sampath Rao, A.C.Shah, K.M.Pillai, Shibdas banerjee, Harcharan Singh, H.S.Dhillon, K.D.M.Tripathy, Tundam, S.R.Nayak and Amina Banerjee addressed the meeting.

General Secretary Moni Bose summed up the discussion and declared amidst cheers that the progressive leadership in E.III Union, while fighting against the disruption from within and outside, will carry forward the crusade for unity and united action against the massive privatization for which a continuous discussion with the Federations/Associations would be carried on. (To be continued)