Monthly Archives: May 2016

78.2% IDA Pension Fixation – Cabinet Note being forwarded to Cabinet Secretariat

03 Tuesday May 2016

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA visited Sanchar Bhawan on 03-05-2016 to ascertain the progress regarding the 78.2% IDA merger issue. He wanted to meet the Secretary, DoT but was not available. How ever his PA told Com.Namboodiri that the covering letter for the cabinet note has been signed by the Secretary, DoT and the file sent to the Member (Finance) for further action. Com.Namboodiri asked him why should it be sent to Member (Finance) instead of the Establishment section. The PA replied as per procedure, the file has to be sent from where it is initiated. Thereafter Com.Namboodiri met Ms. Annie Moreas, Member (Finance) and discussed the issue who assured immediate action.

Now, Internal Finance has to sent the file to the Establishment section who in turn will forward it to the Cabinet Secretariat for final approval.

Government on the move to merge Subsidiary Banks with SBI

03 Tuesday May 2016

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In the name of consolidation, the government is on  the move to merge its subsidiary banks with  SBI. There are five associate banks of SBI like State Bank of Patial, State bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Travancore etc. The proposal is to merge them with the SBI.

Merger of one or two PSU Banks in to one is also in the agenda of the government. This can only be seen to weaken the Banks and reduce its functioning. The licence given to many private payment banks has also to be seen in this context.

The great role played by the Public Sector Bank is well known. These decisions are only to help the private banks grow at the expense of PSU Banks. It s certain that the powerful bank unions will not be a silent spectator on these issues and will start powerful agitations.

Government’s attack on the EPF continues

03 Tuesday May 2016

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The central government, it seems, have taken a decision to hand over the hard earned funds of the workers put in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to the market and corporates so that they can use and and garner huge profits. One after another decisions are taken in this matter without even consulting the EPFO, the Central Trade Unions and the Labour Department.

The government had decided that EPF amount can not be fully withdrawn even at the time of retirement, restrictions were put on other withdrawals, the EPFO decided rate of interest for 2015-16 was reduced from 8.8% to 8.7% and so on. The latest in this series is the decision of the government not to pay the EPF fund to its depositors, if they have not claimed it for last 7 years. Such a cruel decision to deny the depositor o his/her hard earned money is never heard of.

A careful look will show that all these decisions are made to keep the funds in EPF and then to be handed over to the corporates  for very less interest. The private business and corporates have been eagerly waiting and pressing the government to release the huge funds in the EPFO to them.

We express our strong protest against such attack on the working class. There is no doubt that before the strong protest of the working class, the government will be compelled to rescind this decision also as they were compelled to rescind the other anti-worker decision with regard to EPF.

HMT Closes – A dead end for a Magnificent PSU

03 Tuesday May 2016

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As per reports in the press, one of the earliest PSU  and manufacturer of finest watches in the country for many decades, Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) Watch Unit, has been closed down on 1st May 2016. It is an irony that the closure has come on the International Workers Day. The last remaining 120 employees were given VRS/CRS and the PSU closed on Sunday.

HMT was world famous for its premium wrist watches. It had its units in many cities, other than the central office at Bangalore. It was a large establishment with thousands of expert workers. HMT was one of the best PSUs in the country and profitable. The anti-PSU policy of the government is the main reason for the closure of HMT. BSNL Employees Union took the initiative for purchasing HMT watches by BSNL for supply to its workers.

HMT Watch Unit is part of history now. It is a sad reminder of the neo-liberal policy of the government  how to kill a  PSU.

AIBDPA Meeting at Nagpur

02 Monday May 2016

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Utilising the opportunity of Com.VAN Namboodiri’s visit to Nagpur in connection with the membership verification in BSNL, the AIBDPA held at meeting at the BSNLEU office premises. Veteran leader Com. Dakhtod presided. Com. Namboodiri, Patron NCCPA and Advisor AIBDPA spoke about the issues of the pensioners like 78.2% IDA pension fixation, Restoration of Medical Allowance and other issues. He also spoke about the Strike proposed by the Central government employees against the retrograde recommendation of the VII Central Pay Commission. The doubts raised by the members were explained by Com. Namboodiri. Many comrades subscribed to the ‘Telepensioner’ on the spot.

Com. Namboodiri visited Com. B.P.Petkar, Secretary of AIBDPA and convener Co-ordinating Committee of Pensioners’ Associations at his residence. Com.Petkar is resting at home after heart operation and discussed association issues. We wish him early full recovery.

Nagpur comrades assures massive majority

02 Monday May 2016

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Membership Verification Campaign meeting was held at Nagpur CTO compound premises under  the special pandal arranged on 2nd May 2016, presided over by Com. Amitabh Chakraborty, District President, BSNLEU. More than 200 workers were present. Com. Pancham Gaikwad, District Secretary welcomed. Com. Barne, District President, CITU, Com. Nasare, Secretary, Co-Ordination Committee of CGE Unions, Com. Dakhtod, veteran leader of NCCPA, Com. Aswin Shende, Dt. Secretary, SNATTA, Com. Thakur, BSNLMS and other leaders addressed and called upon the workers to support and vote for BSNLEU in the coming verification. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Patron, BSNLEU, spoke about the past achievements of BSNLEU, the struggle it has organised on the demands of the workers, its effort to unify the workers and strengthen BSNL. He also spoke about the attacks of the government on the working class and the struggles being conducted by the central trade unions. Com.Namboodiri also spoke about the demands that is placed before the management on the various issues and called upon the workers to fully support BSNLEU and vote for it to win with huge majority. The meeting itself showed the determination of the workers to ensure the victory of BSNLEU.

The Day the Red Flag was hoisted in Berlin

02 Monday May 2016

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2nd June 1945 is a Historic day! It was on this day that the Red Flag of the Soviet Union was hoisted in Berlin, the headquarters of  Nazi Germany, putting an end to the most destructive II World War launched by the Hitler-Mussolini-Tojo axis.

The war claimed crores of army men and civilians scattered all over the world. It was really a world war. The defeat of the Nazi-Fascist axis changed the world. Many countries including India got independence from the colonial rulers. The UNO and connected organisations were established. Peace was given another chance.

on this 71st Anniversary of the day we remember the great men and martyrs who saved the world from a complete catastrophe.

BSNLEU Flag fluttered high always!

02 Monday May 2016

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In all the Membership Verifications, except the first one in 2002, BSNL Employees Union got more than 50% of the polled votes and was number one union with recognition. Let us see how much BSNLEU got in each verification from second:

2nd Verification: 53.6 %, 3rd: 61.06%, 4th: 52.97%, 5th : 49.62%, 6th: 51.45%. This time, the expectation is between 55% to 58%.

NFTE never got more than 38% of the polled votes. Mostly it got around 35% only.

The Red Flag of BSNLEU fluttered far above than rival unions! This time also it will flutter in the same way!

” I want trade unions to be non-political” – Labour Minister

01 Sunday May 2016

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Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has stated that he wants ” the trade unions to be non-political”. He also opposed the present labour laws which provide outsiders to be office-bearers of the trade unions in organised sector and outsiders should be limited to two in the unorganised sector.

The mindset of the Labour Minister has come out. In India, before independence as also after, the trade unions were having political leaders as office-bearers. This was necessary as the trade union leaders were victimised. The position has not changed even after independence. The trade unions are  having their political connection and naturally political leaders also will be there. Neither the trade unions can be non-political. Trade union politics is part of its structure.

The statement of the Labour Minister can only be seen as his frustration due to the recent developments that the government had to withdraw at least three decisions with regard to the EPF, which were strongly opposed by the trade unions.

 

Another VRS in MTNL

01 Sunday May 2016

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It is reported that the government is proposing another VRS for employees of the MTNL. About 5,300 of the existing 46,000 employees are proposed to be given the VRS, who are about 20% of the staff who are aged 50 and above. This the 4th VRS being implemented in MTNL.

The government is also proposing to sell the assets of MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai.

The reaction of the unions/associations has not been mentioned. We are in touch with them.