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Monthly Archives: December 2018

Do not retrench BSNL contract workers

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ 1 Comment

On the plea of financial crisis, BSNL management has given directions to lower levels  to retrench contract workers. This is strongly objected. There is no justification for retrenching contract workers, who have been working for the development, expansion and maintenance of BSNL services for long periods.

Instead, they should be regularised and appointed in BSNL. There are tens of thousands of vacancies, in which these contract workers can be regularised. This will only be justice to the low paid contract workers. This has been continuously demanded by BSNLCCWF, the federation of the BSNL casual contract workers.

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Government should refund the unjustified collection of interest on notional loan to BSNL

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

BSNL, Loan

Central government has collected about Rs. 12,500 crore or so from BSNL in the name of interest to a NOTIONAL LOAN of Rs. 7,500 crores given to the BSNL at the time of formation of the PSU. Neither any loan was demanded or given. There was no necessity for any loan also as BSNL was having about Rs.40,000 crore in the banks and was getting a a profit of Rs. 8,000 – 12,000 crore per year.

Interest for the imaginary loan  was calculated at very high rate (probably 14% or so) and more than Rs. 12,500 crore was collected from BSNL. It was at a time when BSNL was profit making and financially strong.

Now BSNL is in financial difficulties. It is necessary to help the BSNL at this juncture. Hence the government should refund to BSNL all the collected interest, for which there was no justification. This will help BSNL in its financial crisis.

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The retirement conspiracy and contradictions

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

re-engagement, Retirement

On the one hand the central government is often hinting about reducing the retirement age from 60 to 58 or so. In BSNL, the management has proposed to government  for reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58. The youth in the country also wants retirement age to be reduced so that there will be much more job opportunities.

Reducing the retirement age is neither practical nor will serve the purpose. The government should create more jobs for the unemployed youth by withdrawing the ban on recruitment, robotisation, expansion of services, more social benefit programmes etc instead of reducing the retirement age.

It is surprising, that the same government and PSUs like BSNL etc.  which craves of reduction in retirement age is engaging retired people as consultants even after their retirement, for which there is no justification. This is nothing but exploitation as well as favouritism; exploitation in the way that these retired people are engaged for very less allowance/wages and favouritism in the fact that only the favoured people are selected as consultants. In the existing circumstances, there is no justification for retired people to be engaged; instead new recruitment should take place.

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Rejuvenation of BSNL, MTNL a must for the nation

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNL, General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Better Service, BSNL, MTNL

The last two- three decades have seen how the central government, whether BJP or Congress,  has tried to destroy BSNL and MTNL, the government telecom companies in favour of the private companies. In this process huge corruption by the concerned ministers and government has been exposed. As  a senior politician has stated, there is not a single Communications Minister who can be stated clean in this matter.

Each and every opportunity was utilised by the rulers to support and favour the private companies and discriminate the PSUs, BSNL and MTNL. While almost all other PSUs were formed within the first three decades after Independence with the objective of creating a base of for the infrastructure for development, MTNL and BSNL was formed to privatise the communication sector and hand over the same completely to the corporates. It was only through the Tough resistance from the workers and their unions, that the privatisation move of BSNL and MTNL by the government could not succeed. While government managed to disinvest and impose VRS through clever moves in MTNL, it could not succeed in BSNL due to the heroic  struggles by the united workforce.

The General Elections are due within a few months. A charter on the issues of BSNL and MTNL workers are to be prepared and presented to the political parties for their support. It need not be limited to the telecom PSUs only. All the 240 or so central PSUs are facing similar attack and the CPSTU can focus the same. The General Strike for 48 hours (2 days) on 8th and 9th January 2019 has focussed the issue in the Charter of Demands. It has to be propagated effectively amongst the workers and the people.

Along with defending the PSUs, it should also be the target to improve the services. While fighting for their own rights, the workers have the responsibility to provide better service to the people, the customers. Much have improved, but but much more is to be done.

The ‘Do and Die’ should not only be on the demands of the workers, but also on for the service to be provided to the people. IT IS NOT ONLY TO GET THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE, BUT IS PART OF THE DUTY OF THE WORKERS TO THE NATION.

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BSNL increases its Market Share – Congratulations!

29 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

BSNL, market share, profit

Despite cut throat competition and government favour to private telcos and discriminating BSNL, the latter has increased its market share both in total connections ( mobile + Land line) and also in mobiles. There is a slight decrease in the land lines.

From 9.66 % market share in mobiles in 2016 BSNL has increased it to 12.64 % in 2018. In the total it is 9.59% in 2016 to 10.48% in 2018. The loss in land lines is from 58.63% to 52.64%, which is mainly due to the change over from landlines to mobile.

This increase in the market share is mainly due to extra effort made by the BSNL management and BSNL workers under the leadership of AUAB. Hearty Congratulations!

But unfortunately the total loss has increased  to Rs.4844 crore. While there were five circles ie. Andaman – Nicobar, J and K, Karnataka, Kerala, and Odisha in profit last time, it has been reduced to two circles ie. Andaman and Kerala only this year. Kerala’s profit has also been reduced from R. 584 crore to 373 crores.

The main reasons for this downfall are demonetisation, GST, favouring of Reliane Jio and other telcos by the government, discriminationg and ignoring its own company, BSNL, by not allotting 4G Spectrum, not allowing to take loans for expansion etc.

The government should allot 4 G spectrum immediately, allow BSNL to take loans, reduce the pension contribution to be paid by the BSNL on the basis of actual pay instead of maximum of the pay scale, The various payments to the government should be allowed in more installments as allowed to private telcoms etc. The government should also direct all the central, state governments as well as central/state PSUs only to avail the services of BSNL and MTNL. The vacant buildings and quarters should be rented to the state government/PSUs etc. Various departments of the government will be able to have training classes etc. in the ALTTC, BRAITT, RTTCs  etc. Monetisation   of unused plots also can be made made, of course, taking in to consideration future developments.

Prime Minister is reported to have stated ‘ PSUs are born to die’. We don’t agree. BSNL is born to live and improve and become a mighty and efficient service.

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Withdraw proposal to reduce retirement age from 60 to 58 in BSNL

29 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in Uncategorized

≈ 9 Comments

It is reliably understood from the letter of DOT to BSNL dated 06-11-2018, that the BSNL has proposed to reduce the retirement age of BSNL employees from 60 to 58 to in order to finance the wage revision of BSNL executives/employees. This is atrocious.

When the government increased the retirement age from 58 to 60, the CG employees (BSNL was not formed) strongly protested the extension stating that it will affect the new recruitment. However, the government increased and the workers are adjusted to it. A person arranges his family settlements, taking loans, investments etc. considering the period in service. Reducing the service by two years will be an attack on the lives of the existing workers. The government or the BSNL has no right to take arbitrary decisions. It is understood that BSNL has not even consulted any of the unions in this matter.

The government and the BSNL should immediately drop the proposal of reducing retirement age. There is no justification for the same.

 

 

 

 

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New Year Day 2019 will be celebrated in Kerala by organising “Women’s Wall”

29 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Kerala will witness a ‘Women’s Wall’ from the north to the south end of Kerala, on the national high  way, spanning about 600 kilometers, on the New Year day, 1st January 2019, for the cause of equal status, equal rights for women and end of discrimination against women. It is part of the  renaissance movement that helped create a new social order in Kerala. More than 50 lakhs of women are expected to participate.

In the background of the criminal activities of the Hindu fundamentalist forces led by RSS and BJP in Shabarimala against the judgment of the Supreme Court allowing entry of women to the shrine, the ‘Women’s Wall’ is a relevant popular response.

It is also against the conspiracy of the fundamentalist forces to take the society back to the position when the women had no freedom to go to school, can not properly dress and untouchability was practiced.

The LDF government has extended its support to the programme.Many political leaders, social activists, cultural activists, poets,women organisations, trade unions, students – they all support this action by women in their forward march for an equal status and right in the society.

BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF  Kerala units also have given call to participate in the ‘Vanitha Mathil’ (Womens’ Wall).

Let us make it a great success!

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Wage Revision of BSNL employees should not be delayed

29 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

New Year 2019 is only two days ahead! The wage revision of executives and non-executives, which is due from 01-01-2017 is yet to be decided. Two years have already elapsed without any decision, despite continued pressure and agitation by the BSNL Unions and Associations under the united banner of AUAB.

The delay is mainly due to the affordability clause in the DPE guidelines and recommendations of the III Pay Revision Committee. If BSNL has gone down from its high profits to loss making, the major responsibility is on the government itself, which through its anti-Policy and decisions have made it to the present position. Further it is a fully government owned company and the responsibility for payment of wages is its responsibility. The government can not evade that solemn responsibility.

The cut throat competition and consequent lowest telecom rates has made all the companies in the telecom sector, including the corporates, in to loss. These corporates continue their existence only due to the huge loans taken by them from the banks and not paying them back. BSNL has no such loans.

The AUAB deferred the indefinite strike to start from 3rd December 2018 only the assurance of the Communications Minister to attend to the issues seriously. But the government and the DOT  is lethargic and even after almost one month, the decision on wage revision is not taken.

Patience has got a limit. The workers are impatient and is demanding for early wage revision. The government, DOT and BSNL should act and act immediately in this matter.

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Modi Government again in selling mode – 7 PSUs going to be disinvested.

29 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Disinvestment, PSUs

 

Modi Government continues its attack on the PSUs. The latest cabinet decision is to sell shares of (1) Telecommunications Consultants (India) Ltd (2) RailTel Corporation (India) Ltd. (3) National Seed Corporation (India) Ltd. (4) Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (5) Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Limited (6) FCI Aravaly Gypsum and Minerals (India) Ltd and (7) Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. The first 6 PSUs will be disinvested through IPOs and the last by FPO. Almost all these are profitable PSUs and functioning well. Some of them like TCIL has got a lot of awards in excellence.

Selling of shares will get thousands of crores of rupees to the government, but none of this will be utilised for the improvement or development of the company. Even if 25% shares are sold, the private corporates (share holders) get the benefit of even deciding the policy. They will utilise it for their own purpose. Well knowing that the government favours the corporates, the Director Board also will become more interested in the benefits of the corporates than the PSU. The result will be deterioration of the company which will go in to loss. Then it is easy for the government to sell it very cheap with all the valuable land, building, equipment etc. in the centre of major towns.

The government is not worried about the future of the work force. The government is not interested in the development of the PSU. It is only the workers and the common people of the country who will fight this exploitation of the nations precious wealth.

Participate fully in the 48 hours national strike on 8th and 9th January 2019 against the anti-worker, anti-PSU policy of the government!

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Pensioners and outsiders as office bearers of workers’ Unions / Associations?

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLEU, CG Employees

≈ 4 Comments

A question has been raised by some comrades/friends that what is the necessity of pensioners/outsiders being elected as office-bearers of workers’ unions and associations in central government establishments, PSUs etc.? Is it not against the interest of the workers? Is it not denying the workers their legitimate right to lead their own organisations? Some other connected questions are also being raised.

The principle that the workers themselves should be the leaders of their organisations is correct and not wrong. Then why, most of the unions/associations are having retirees/outsiders as leaders of the movement.

It has got historical and practical reasons. Take for example the case of central government employees. The first to be organised in India were the Railway as also Posts and Telegraph workers. The pioneers of the P and T trade union movement like Tarapada Mukherjee, Henry Barton, Dada Ghosh, K.G.Bose and others were all either removed / dismissed from service, jailed, punished for their trade union activities. V.G.Dalvi, who organised the Postmen in 1919 was an Advocate, who could not be departmentally punished for his trade union activities. Secondly electing office bearers from outside trade union leaders, including M.P.s, gave the benefit that the employees issues could be directly raised in the Parliament etc.Hence since 1946, and especially after 1954 when NFPTE was formed, NFPTE itself and most of its affiliated unions elected sitting M.P.s as their President and sometimes other office-bearers also. This gave much benefits to the workers in raising their demands with the government and fighting against victimisation after the 1960, 1968 strikes etc. when lakhs of workers were victimised and sent out of service. The marathon discussions in Parliament on the issues of the P and T workers, victimisation etc is a shining example. This was the case with Railway Unions also. In the NFPE and NFTE, this system continued till the 1990s, when the Central government issued new recognition rules under which no retired employee could function as office bearer of the service unions. Due to strict implementation of the rule, on retirement, the office-bearer became a non-office-bearer. The union had to elect a working employee to the post.

In the PSU unions, not only pensioners but outsiders are also allowed to be office-bearers. Outsiders can be elected to the extend of 33% of office-bearers. Pensioners are included in the category of workers and can be elected without any limit. In the private establishments, usually some of the leaders are from central trade unions only so that they are always in the mainstream of workers. They have full trade union rights, unlike government employees.

Retired leaders are elected as office bearers since the workers feel that their past experience in the trade union movement or service unions enable them to lead the movement better. Some are reelected even after retirement for respect for their past service. It is due to this that a small percentage of retired workers continue to lead the organisations.

Ultimately, it is the workers who decide that who are to be the office-bearers of the union. Nobody needs to have any grudge when the conferences democratically elect the retired employee or outsiders as office bearers. However, restricting the number to the minimum is always preferred since that will enable the workers themselves to lead their organisations and decide their own destiny.

A further question is raised by some friends. Whether any worker can be elected as office-bearer of the pensioners’ unions/associations? Personally I am for this idea that young and energetic workers can be elected as office-bearers who can help a lot. In fact, in most of the government departments and PSUs, the pensioner organisations have been formed with the help of the unions of workers. In BSNL, the workers organisation BSNLEU took initiative in forming the pensioners association, AIBDPA.

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