The All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA) is holding its 26th General Conference at Kolkata on 8-11 January 2023. It is one of the strongest union among the PSU Unions and represents vast majority of its workers. Since its formation , it has been perusing a progressive and democratic  outlook and has conducted many successful strikes to achieve the just rights of the Insurance workers. Even now, it is fighting against disinvestment of LIC and making massive propaganda against the anti-worker, anti-PSU policy of the government.

My close relation with AIIEA starts in the 1960s, when a new LIC Division was formed in Calicut and LIC Employees Union was formed there. They became an active partner of the Workers Centre, which was a co-ordination Committee of the Central-State-PSU unions, which organised many struggles as also helped the struggles in other sectors. 

As an All India Office-bearer of All India Telegraph Engineering Employees Union Class III (NFPTE) and later as its General Secretary as also General Secretary of the BSNL Employees Union since its inception in 2001, I have been in good contact with the AIIEA and its all India leaders. Many of our All India Conferences were addressed by General Secretary of AIIEA and vice-versa, which strengthened the co-ordination between the two unions. 

The 26th General Conference of AIIEA is being held at a time, when more and more attacks re coming on the working class. Their hard won rights are being taken away. Attacks are on the secular fabric of the nation. The working class are unitedly fighting for their rights and also against the attacks from the ruling class. I am sure that the Conference will discuss all these issues and take appropriate decision.

Red Salute and Best Wishes for the success of the 26th General Conference of AIIEA !

V.A.N.Namboodiri,

Advisor, All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA)