Monthly Archives: January 2020

BSNL plans outsourcing to make up for VRS retirement.

03 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNLEU, Telecom

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

78,569. It is the number of employees in BSNL, who have taken retirement through VRS and which will be effected by 31st January 2020.The retirement of such a large number of employees, more than 50% of the existing employees, will certainly adversely affect the service of BSNL. The AUAB and unions have demanded that the post VRS scenario and what to be done should be discussed with the unions. A detailed discussion is yet to take place.

In the meanwhile, management has issued certain instructions regarding outsourcing as also reduce the Business Areas by rearranging. Many small stations may be adversely affected, causing difficulty to the subscribers. BSNL is not for profit only, but it has a commitment to its subscribers and customers. BSNL management should urgently discuss all the post-VRS situation with the unions and find out effective solutions. Outsourcing work is a method of exploiting the unemployed and denying them the social benefits. Outsourcing should be transparent and according to the laws of the land.

Show your degrees first!

02 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by in General

≈ Leave a comment

” A govt that has shut down RTI, promotes electoral bonds, has zero transparency, PM and ministers can not show their degrees – is now asking citizens to prove their credentials?” Com. Sitaram Yechury, General secretary, CPI(M) has tweeted.

How true!

Kerala Assembly passes Resolution against CAA – Congratulations pour in.

02 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Kerala Govt has taken a bold step and passed a resolution in the assembly unanimously opposing the Constitution Amendment Act 2019(CAA). Pinarayi govt has also made it clear that it will not implement the CAA in Kerala.

This bold position is similar to the firm stand taken by the EMS Government in 1968 that it will not implement the Essential Service Maintenance Act which was brought to deal with the One day Strike of 19th September 1968 by the Central govt employees. There were threat of dismissal of the state govt by the centre, but nothing happened.

Statements from many countries and also important personalities have poured in appreciating the stand of the Kerala govt.

78569 workers will leave BSNL on VRS – What about essential work in BSNL?

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

78569 employees, more than half of the existing workforce in BSNL are leaving the company on 31-01-2020 on Voluntary Retirement Scheme. It will create a big vacuum in BSNL. The work being done by these employees will have to be managed by those remaining in service. It is not an easy task. While VRS is implemented with extra speed, connected other matters in the post VRS situation is not dealt by the BSNL Management or the Govt with the required urgency. Except VRS, the other actions with regards to Revival of BSNL are being delayed. Two months are over by 23rd December 2019, after the declaration of the Revival Plan. What happened to the allotment of 4G Spectrum to BSNL? Private Telcos have already been alloted 5G Spectrum for test purposes. Still no 4G to BSNL. What about Sovereign Guarantee, bank loans to BSNL?

The government should be compelled to honour its commitment. BSNL management should ensure that the Revival Plan is implemented. The contract workers should be paid their back wages. The services of the contract workers are very much required and any move to retrench them should be stopped.

We are sure that the unions and associations in BSNL under the leadership of AUAB will take necessary steps to compel the govt for implementing Revival plan.

AIBDPA Action Plan for Pension Revision

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

The Central Executive Committee of AIBDPA held at Guwahati on 24-25 November 2019 has charted the following Programme of Action for achieving the demand of Pension Revision for BSNL pensioners w.e.f. 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment recommended by III Pay Revision Committee:

1. Submission of Memorandum to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, signed by tens of thousands of pensioners.All pensioners, irrespective of union/association of BSNL/DOT to be approached and signature obtained. It is beneficial to all.
2. Meet all the Members of Parliament and request to take up the issue with the government. A copy of the Memorandum also to be given and matters explained.
3. Massive Hunger Strike on 12th February 2020 in front of the CCA Offices in the circles.
4. Massive March to Parliament on 12th March 2020 being participated by thousands of pensioners.

The injustice being meted out to the BSNL/DOT Pensioners should be explained and propagated to the entire pensioners and BSNL employees. 13 years have passed without ny pension revision. Press releases and Press conferences be organised to get wide publicity. The fact that the Central govt is going back on its promises should be exposed.

Participate and make all the programmes successful.

AIBDPA calls for continuous Mighty Struggles for Pension Revision.

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, Pension

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

(Giving below is the Editorial of Tele Pensioner, the journal of AIBDPA)

Chalo Delhi
It is pertinent to point out that the government had given certain concrete assurances during the formation of BSNL. Foremost of these were that the government will keep BSNL viable and compensate for the losses for providing rural telephony as part of its social obligation. The absorbed employees were assured of better prospects and necessary amendment in Rule 37A of CCS(Pension)Rules,1972 was incorporated to ensure pension from the government to the BSNL absorbed employees. Unfortunately, most of the promises were violated and BSNL had to incur losses due to the anti-PSU policy of the government, at the later stage, the naked pro Reliance Jio stand which is instrumental for the distress of entire telecom industry. We, therefore do not find any justification in denying wage revision to BSNL employees in the name of affordability condition stipulated by 3rd PRC. The former CMD,BSNL, Shri.Anupam Shrivastava had rightly pointed out that 3rd PRC itself mentioned that the affordability conditions are not applicable to those PSUs implementing government projects and as such BSNL is the fittest case for exemption. So the government should think seriously, particularly in the post VRS scenario, to implement wage revision which is a must to motivate the remaining employees. But pension revision is no way related to loss or bad financial position of BSNL as the liability is of the central government alone.

The decision of the Central Executive Committee meeting held at Guwahati to launch a phased programme of agitation against the negative approach of central Government on the genuine issue of pension revision of BSNL absorbed retirees, has evoked great enthusiasm among the pensioners. The CEC after serious discussion and review of the latest developments, particularly, Hon’ble Communications Minister’s statement in the Parliament to the effect that pension revision is possible only after wage revision as pay scales are must for pension revision.

There is nothing to be disappointed or dejected on the statement of the Minister. It is true that 50% of the minimum of the revised pay scale has to be ensured for pension revision. Pay scales are also required for implementing Option 3 , implemented to the central government pensioners as an alternative to Option 1, recommended by the 7th Pay Commission for parity in pension to past pensioners. However, the fact remains that pay scales are very much available for pension revision. 3rd PRC has recommended the pay scales for the executives and for the non-executives BSNL management and the recognized unions through bilateral negotiations have agreed for the pay scales subject to approval of the DoT. The BSNL absorbed retirees have paid the pension contribution at the maximum of their pay scales and as per Rule 37A of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972, amended from time to time, the entire liability of pension and pensionary benefits to the BSNL absorbed retirees ,lies with the government.

Therefore, AIBDPA rightly demands that Pension Revision of BSNL absorbed retirees be granted from 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment based on the revised pay scales, delinking wage revision. And the CEC felt that another phased programme of agitation is the need of the hour, rather than approaching the court and get the issue frozen. As directed by the CEC, General Secretary wrote to five important pensioners organizations to explore the possibility of a joint struggle. Three organizations responded with limitations and two, AIBSNLPWA and SNREWA did not even reply. So we had no other option than going ahead independently.

Accordingly, a massive signature campaign in the memorandum to be submitted to the Hon’ble Prime Minister will be undertaken at all levels to ensure maximum mobilization of pensioners. Meanwhile, District/Circle leaders will approach all the Members of Parliament to seek their support and help to take up the issue with the government. This important work has to be completed in the month of January, 2020. Next program is Mass Hunger Strike at all CCA offices on 12th February,2020 with large participation. And the culmination is the Parliament March on 12th March, 2020 in which thousands of BSNL and DoT pensioners will participate from all parts of the country.

Struggle is our path, unity and struggle our slogan and victory is our aim. Let us make the programme historic and stupendous. Yes, comrades, we shall march forward, overcome all the hurdles and come out victorious.