Views of the GDS March at New Delhi on 1st June 2018
GDS March to Sanchar Bhawan (Office of Communications Minister) on 1st June
02 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in TU News - India
Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI
WFTU President will address International Labour Conference on 4th June 2018
02 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in WFTU
The WFTU President comrade Mzwandile Michael Makwayiba will address the plenary session of 107th International Labour Conference on Monday 4 June 2018 at 12.00-12.30 pm.
Immediately after his speech the WFTU Presidential Council meeting and Meeting of friends will take place, under the theme: “The WFTU position on the future of work”. During this event the WFTU will honor Cuban comrade Ramón Cardona for his contribution to the international class trade union movement.
The Massive Strike by the Gramin Dak Sevaks – Central Government should concede the demand immediately
02 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in Postal Service, TU News - India
Tags
About two and half lakhs of Gramin Dak Sevaks in the country are on an Indefinite strike from 22nd May 2018 demanding implementation of the favourable recommendations of the Kamalesh Chandra Committee, which was submitted in November 2016 to the government.
The exploitation of the GDS continues since the colonial days. At that time they were called EDAs ie. Extra Departments Agents. They were not treated as departmental or even a worker. Despite getting independence, the governments at the centre since 1947, have not conceded the genuine demands of the EDA/GDS for granting civilian status, minimum wage, gratuity as per government act, leave, allowances etc. It is almost wage slavery.
The GDS are on strike, because all other efforts have failed to move the government. The regular employees in Kerala joined the strike in solidarity and support for 10 days, a commitment which is appreciated by all. As per official report, more than 96% of the GDS in the country are on strike. They are determined to continue the struggle to achieve their long pending demands.
Almost all the newspapers, trade unions, mass organisations and the common people are fully supporting the demand of the GDS. Even the dailies and the media controlled by the corporates have not opposed the strike as is usual with them, but has written editorials and articles in support of the same. The people are supporting the GDS strike, despite the various difficulties faced by them because of the strike. M.P.s, MLAs, and other public figures are making their presence in the struggle premises and expressing their support to the strike. The entire central trade unions are supporting the strike.
The Modi government, which has to take the decision is SILENT! 12 days of strike and not even a discussion at the highest level and decision! It is a heartless and anti-worker government.
It is a government of the corporates, by the corporates and for the corporates! The people of the lakhs of villages, who are daily being served by these poor GDS, are watching the cruel deal and injustice of the government to their long-time friend, the GDS. There is no doubt that they will show their anger and revenge, when the time comes.
We demand the central government to immediately call the leaders, discuss their demand and settle the same amicably. The GDS workers are determined and will continue the indefinite strike till the sole demand is conceded. We seek the support of the entire country to this fully justified struggle of the GDS to be treated as a human being instead of a wage slave, as being exploited in the colonial days.
Draft National Digital Communications Policy-2018
02 Saturday Jun 2018
The Department of Telecom (DOT) has published the Draft of the “National Digital Communications Policy – 2018” a few days back. This is in continuation of its National Telecom Policy- 1994, National Telecom Policy – 1999 and NTP – 2012.
All the earlier NTPs have been approved with the intention of bringing private corporates in the telecom sector and weaken the government/public sector telecom. The new Policy, which is not NTP, but named “National Digital Communications Policy – 2018” is also in the same direction. There is no much assistance to the PSUs, BSNL or MTNL. There is no provision to give 4G / 5G to them. High words are used, but it all amounts to favouring the private corporates.
With BSNL and MTNL in the field, India is providing one of the cheapest service in the world. Destroy these PSUs, the people will have to pay at least ten times for the service being provide to them. The wolves and hyenas, the MNCs, are waiting their time for finishing the PSUs, with the tacit support of the government. It will be a catastrophe for the entire population of this great country. A serious struggle and movement by the workers with the support of the people alone is the remedy.
Kerala LDF Government Marches Ahead
02 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in Kerala LDF Government
At the time of completing two years of its rule, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government in Kerala, led by Chief Minister Com. Pinarayi Vijayan, marches ahead with path breaking achievements on many fronts, including health, development, construction of homes, public education etc. Some of these are being stated in brief below:
1. ARDRAM Mission – caring for the health of citizens:
Made much improvement made in the facilities in the government hospitals and and Public Health centres by free or at a reasonable cost. Cancer Care introduced in all Medical Colleges at low cost. 170 Primary Health Centres have been transformed to Family Health Centres. Community Health Centres and taluk hospitals strengthened. Palliative Care and dialysis centres provided.
2. Life Mission – Homes for all
Life Mission is intended to provide homes to all the citizens of the state. The government will provide assistance in completing the construction of unfinished houses, construction of houses for those who have land but no means for construction and also construction of flats for the landless. Already completed construction of 28,000 unfinished houses. Flats are being constructed for those who have neither land or house. For those in the coastal belt, special housing complexes are built.
3. Public Education
Kerala stands first in literacy in the country with almost 100% literacy. The LDF government is making the government / public schools to reach the international standard and Rs. 2000 crore provided for the same this year. Many schools have already been transformed in this direction. About one and lakh new students more have joined the government schools last year. School Children are provided nutritious free lunch and breakfast etc.
4. Haritha Kerala – Green Kerala
The mission intends to improve and increase agricultural production. Already paddy cultivation increased to 1.31 lakh hectares of land. Wells, Tanks, ponds, streams, rivers etc. rejuvenated in all the districts with well planned actions with the support of the people. Organised organic farming by the people in their house-hold with the assistance of the government. Clean and green state is the aim.
Congratulations to the Pinarayi Government! (to be continued)
:Meeting with Assistant Labour Commissioner (C), New Delhi held on 29-5-2018.
02 Saturday Jun 2018
As scheduled, a meeting with the ALC (C)( on behalf of CLC), was held on 29-05-2018 at New Delhi. On behalf of the BSNLCCWF, Com. VAN Namboodiri, President, Com Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, Com. K. R. Yadav, VP, Com. Tapas Kumar Ghosh, WP, Com. Tapos Banerjee, Treasurer and on behalf of BSNL Management, five officers were present in the meeting. BSNL management submitted a written reply on issues which was raised by the ALC (C) ND in the last meeting. After getting the copy of the reply, Com Animesh Mitra, SG, raised the objection that as per the questions of the CLC (C), the reply has not been given by the Management. We raised the questions and discussion held regarding the important issues like:-
i) Gratuity for the (Contract Labourer) – BSNL management assured before the CLC that necessary order will be issued for the Contract Workers before the next meeting with the ALC.
ii) Gratuity for the left out Casual labourers – In this connection, BSNL Management has stated that it will decide in the next BSNL Board meeting if details of the left out casual labourers will be available. They have also informed that on the issue of gratuity of a particular Casual Labore in Coochbehar SSA has been approved after obtaining the legal opinion from the legal cell. In this regard, ALC (C) has requested to the leaders to lodge the complaint before the ALCs through out the country.
iii) Wages of left out Casual labouers – as written reply submitted by the BSNL wherein it is mentioned that casual labourers are being paid the wages based on minimum CDA Pay scale plus dearness allowance. It also mentioned that the revision of wages to the casual labours will be paid after 3rd PRC is implemented. We objected to the reply and after argument, CLC has stated that after discussion with CLC, he will deliver his verdict. It is also stated that he will try to arrange a meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner. (Website : BSNLCCWF)
Successful Bank Workers Two Days Strike
02 Saturday Jun 2018
Posted in General
Bank employees in the country were compelled to wage a two days strike on 30th and 31st May, 2019 as the Indian Bankers Association (IBA) offered a meagre 2% hike in their pay which is due from 1st November, 2017. The bank unions under the banner of UFBU which includes al the federations of bank employees, Bank Employees Federation of India, Confederation of Bank Employees, All India Bank Officers Confederation, All India Bank Employees Association and All India Bank Officers Association has slammed the IBA for their arrogant and negative stand on grant of a reasonable wage to the bank employees. The reported loss of the banks are only because of huge amount being transferred towards mounting bad loans or NPA and the bank workers are no way responsible for it.
The strike is a complete success through out the country and cental government should intervene in the matter for an amicable settlement.
My hearty congratulation to the bank workers and the unions for the successful united strike and extend its full support to their struggles for the genuine cause.
Central Govt. justifies petrol price increase – protests all over the country
28 Monday May 2018
Posted in Uncategorized
Petrol and diesel prices across the country were raised for the eleventh consecutive day today with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) passing on the increase in international fuel prices to the consumers. This follows the 19-day price freeze initiated by OMCs before the Karnataka polls.
Price of non-branded petrol in Delhi soared to Rs 77.47 per litre today, the highest price recorded in Delhi’s history, and a 30 paise per litre hike over Wednesday’sprice. The previous high for petrol price in Delhi was Rs 76 per liter in September 2013 when crude oil prices were hovering around $108-115 per barrel. Similarly, diesel prices in the national capital soared to Rs 68.53 per litre today, the highest recorded ever.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday at a press briefing argued that fuel taxes were necessary for country’s development. “As far as fuel prices are concerned, including the excise duty or other taxes thereupon, they are very clearly used for country’s development, for constriction of more national highways, more roads, more digital infrastructure, taking energy to those villages which were without energy for last so many years,” he said.
The price of Petrol has peaked at record levels in other metro cities too, including Rs 85.29 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 80.42 in Chennai and Rs 80.12 per litre in Kolkata. Price of every litre of non-branded diesel has also peaked at Rs 72.96 in Mumbai, Rs 72.35 in Chennai and Rs 71.08 in Kolkata.
Prasad added, “In view of the uncertainty in the crude prices globally, a new sense of urgency has developed. The govt is keen that instead of having an ad-hoc measure, it is desirable to have a long-term view that addresses not only the volatility but also takes care of the unnecessary ambiguity arising out of frequent ups and downs.”
Meanwhile the price of crude oil in the international market is crashing and now as on 28th May, 2018, the price per barrel is only $ 66.83.
Strong protest demonstrations and rallies are being organised in many places by the opposition parties. (News Report)
Congratulations to Kerala LDF government for creating more than 70,000 jobs within 2 years.
27 Sunday May 2018
Posted in Kerala
It is a commendable record of the Kerala LDF government has give job to 70,000 youths through Public Service Commission. It has created 13,000 new jobs during these two years. This is when the Corporates and the Central government are retrenching workers / not filling up vacancies. The Kerala Road transport Corporation which was on huge loss is being restored to its past glory. Government has allotted sufficient funds for its restoration and also for payment of pension.
Kerala is the only state, in which there is no suicide by kisan. Lakhs of kisan have committed suicide all over India during this period.
Kerala is on the path of great development. The government is committed to the growth of the state.
Central Govt. justifies petrol price increase – protests all over the country
26 Saturday May 2018
Posted in Uncategorized
Petrol and diesel prices across the country were raised for the eleventh consecutive day today with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) passing on the increase in international fuel prices to the consumers. This follows the 19-day price freeze initiated by OMCs before the Karnataka polls.
Price of non-branded petrol in Delhi soared to Rs 77.47 per litre today, the highest price recorded in Delhi’s history, and a 30 paise per litre hike over Wednesday’sprice. The previous high for petrol price in Delhi was Rs 76 per liter in September 2013 when crude oil prices were hovering around $108-115 per barrel. Similarly, diesel prices in the national capital soared to Rs 68.53 per litre today, the highest recorded ever.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday at a press briefing argued that fuel taxes were necessary for country’s development. “As far as fuel prices are concerned, including the excise duty or other taxes thereupon, they are very clearly used for country’s development, for constriction of more national highways, more roads, more digital infrastructure, taking energy to those villages which were without energy for last so many years,” he said.
The price of Petrol has peaked at record levels in other metro cities too, including Rs 85.29 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 80.42 in Chennai and Rs 80.12 per litre in Kolkata. Price of every litre of non-branded diesel has also peaked at Rs 72.96 in Mumbai, Rs 72.35 in Chennai and Rs 71.08 in Kolkata.
Prasad added, “In view of the uncertainty in the crude prices globally, a new sense of urgency has developed. The govt is keen that instead of having an ad-hoc measure, it is desirable to have a long-term view that addresses not only the volatility but also takes care of the unnecessary ambiguity arising out of frequent ups and downs.”
Strong protest demonstrations and rallies are being organised in many places by the opposition parties. (News Report)
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