Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

BSNLEU and AIBDPA – Crusaders of DOT/BSNL Pensioners

07 Thursday Sep 2017

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BSNLEU and AIBDPA – Crusaders of DOT/BSNL Pensioners
• Though the III PRC has put the affordability clause for the wage revision of employees, the case is different for the BSNL pensioners. It is not BSNL which pays the pension and the affordability clause cannot be applicable to government. 60:40 condition has been removed and the entire pension is to be paid by the government. In this situation, the 15% fitment as recommended by the III PRC for PSUs should be made applicable for the BSNL retirees and pension revision made accordingly. This demand has already been placed by AIBDPA. This has got full justification. It is also a continuation in IDA pension fixation as before. This is a better and more justified demand than the demand for 14.29% fixation recommended by VII CPC. Shifting from IDA pension to CDA pension has got its own ramifications and future complications.

A fully unjustified and baseless campaign is being made by some vested interests against BSNLEU and AIBDPA stating that these two major organizations of the BSNL employees and BSNL/DOT pensioners are not taking up the issue of pension revision of BSNL pensioners effectively.
We thank these friends for the acceptance that these are the two major organizations of the BSNL employees/ pensioners and also for the opportunity given to us for explaining the actions taken by these two unions on the issues of the pensioners.
First of all, let us understand that these organizations have their respective positions only because of the whole hearted support given by the employees and pensioners due to the excellent performance for settling their issues and taking the correct and progressive path.
Let us examine the issues with reference to our past experience for arriving at the correct line and approach.

1. The unions in DOT which merged together and formed BSNL Employees Union after formation of BSNL, had strongly opposed privatization of telecom services and had organised three-four strikes alone, and then jointly with the 3 Federations, against privatization. They never agreed for formation of a PSU for telecom services. Corporatisation was agreed to by the three recognized Federations, which made it easy for the government to corporatize telecom services six months earlier than scheduled. (The first proposal was to corporatize by the financial year w.e.f. 01-04-2001).

2. Though agreement for payment of pension was made by the Federations with DOT, there was no mention about periodic pension revision. This was utilized by the government which created a serious problem after the wage revisions in BSNL. When the deficiencies in the agreement was brought to the notice of the Member (Finance) at that time by the E.III(N) union, he had stated that the Federations made the agreement in a hurry and that even he had his own reservations.

3. In the meeting called by the Communications Minister after formation of BSNL, V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary, E.III (N) Union, raised the issue of the pensioners. He pointed out the delay in the payment of pension and pensionary benefits and demanded that the pensioners should not be compelled to go round and round the office for getting their pensionary benefits. He demanded that on the last working day of the retiring official, he/she should be given a farewell function by the SSA head and all the pensionary benefits like GPF, Gratuity etc. should be handed over by cheque/cash and that the official should be given the Pension Payment Order and a certificate thanking for his services, a shawl, a suit case with documents and Rs. 1,000 as a token of appreciation. The Minister fully agreed and modified only the amount to Rs.1,001 as it is more graceful. All these are being implemented in BSNL. The token amount has been gradually increased after the matter was taken by BSNLEU.

4. The agreement with the 3 Federations on corporatization was that an amount of Rs. 1,000 / Rs. 1,500 will be paid to all officials in addition to the CDA pay scale. BSNL Employees Union demanded that since BSNL is a PSU, the IDA scale, which is higher than CDA scale, should be given, instead of CDA pay plus Rs. 1,500. This was accepted by all the unions and the wage revision on IDA scale was granted after hard bargaining. All the pay scales were upgraded with the lowest from Rs. 2,400 to Rs. 4,000. However, there was problem in fixing the pension as the DOT was not prepared to pay pension on IDA scale. The government stand was to pay pension on CDA scale only. After continuous pressure and agitation, the issue was settled after a Cabinet decision. This gave a good rise in the pension of the BSNL retirees from that of DOT retirees. Had we accepted O.P.Gupta formula, the pension should have been much less. The initiative was taken by BSNLEU and was accepted by all other unions.

5. As BSNLEU was the only recognized union, the second wage negotiation took place with it. Citing loss to the company, what the management offered was minimum increase of the pay scale, increments, maximum scale etc. Two strikes were organized by BSNLEU and its allies, to pressurise the management for granting better pay scale etc. However, a few unions, instead of supporting the struggle, pressurized the management to implement the pay scales etc, what was offered by the management on the plea that even that payscales may not be feasible if the company continues in loss. However, BSNLEU struck to its points and the management was compelled to sign an agreement, which gave 30% fitment and also a better pay scale than most of the other PSUs, w.e.f. 01-01-2007.

6. The issue of pension revision came up again after the second wage revision. BSNLEU and the Joint Forum/Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations had to take up the issue with the Minister and organized two strikes to get the cabinet nod and the pension revision. This was much appreciated by the unions and workers, even those who had criticized the prolonging wage negotiations. The difference between the pension of BSNL and DOT retirees increased. AIBDPA which was formed by that time, also organized its own agitational programmes for achieving the pension revision.

7. Next came the issue of 78.2% IDA Pay fixation ( 9.4% IDA pension fixation in addition to the 68.8% already achieved). BSNLEU and Forum demanded for 78.2% IDA fixation for employees and after continued struggles, it was achieved, but was not granted to BSNL retirees. Sustained agitation and two days strike on 21-22 April 2015 by the employees only clinched the issue. AIBDPA orgnised several agitations, including an historic Sanchar Bhawan March on 20-11-2014, and participated in all the programmes organized by the Forum, with full solidarity and support. After the meeting with the DOT Secretary by all the unions and Associations on 01-05-2015, the issue was clinched. There was some more delay due to the change of Secretary, DOT, but the matter went up to Cabinet and was settled. BSNLEU and AIBDPA were in the fore-front of all these struggles.

8. BSNLEU, Forum and AIBDPA fought against the unwarranted condition of 60:40 imposed by the DOT, which stipulated that if the pension is more than 60% of the payments made by BSNL to the DOT on dividend, licence fee, taxes etc., the rest of pension will have to be paid by BSNL. At the time of formation of BSNL, the situation was that BSNL was paying more than Rs. 12,000 crore to the DOT and the pension payment was about Rs. 1,000 crore only. Even then BSNLEU had raised the issue and in one meeting with the Secretary DOT, the latter agreed to cancel the same and issued a letter accordingly. But in the absence of cancellation/annulment of the original order it was very much in prevalence. By 2010, the pension payment has increased more than the total amount of payments by BSNL, due to the large number of retirement and the increased pension as also the lesser payments by BSNL. The issue became critical by the time of the demand for 78.2% IDA fixation. AIBDPA met Secretary, DOT and Communications Minister several times and the issue was got focused in the Parliament by Left M.Ps.

9. For payment of the 78.2% IDA pension fixation as well as payment of II Pension revision, many agitations were organized by AIBDPA including Sanchar Bhawan March participated by thousands of pensioners. Many dharnas and demonstrations were held. In addition, volunteers of AIBDPA helped the CCA in many places to ensure early payment.

10. The Medical Allowance for BSNL retirees was agreed to by the management after the issue was taken up by BSNLEU, the recognized union. However, this was stopped later by BSNL on the plea that the company is in loss. Due to the continuous pressure of AIBDPA, the management stated that the employees will oppose if it is restored only for pensioners. The Staff Side (BSNLEU and NFTE, the recognized unions) took up the case in National Council and stated that they have no objection in restoring the medical allowance for the pensioners first. Accordingly, it has been restored to the BSNL retirees from 01-04-2017 which is a great relief.

11. It was on the demand of BSNLEU that the funeral expense was increased to Rs. 15,000. AIBDPA has demanded that this funeral expense should be granted to the family of pensioners also when the pensioner passes away. The argument of AIBDPA that how BSNL can deny funeral allowance to the families of retirees, who have done yeoman service for more than 30 years, when even the family of a new recruit is granted, was appreciated by the management.

12. Now let us come to the latest issue, the pension revision of the BSNL pensioners w.e.f. 01-01-2017. Let us understand that BSNL employees have opted for IDA scale, fought for it, got it and the pensioners also got good benefit out of it. However, there is uncertainty in the minds of the pensioners, whether there will be any wage revision in BSNL and if not, what will be the pension revision for BSNL retirees? This certainly is a serious issue.
Let us look in to the matter thoroughly. The III Pay Revision Committee for PSU executives has given its report and the government has accepted the same. There are certain stipulations in it like no pay revision for loss making PSUs and also an affordability clause for wage revision. As per these conditions, it will be difficult for the BSNL employees to get wage revision from 01-01-2007, since the company is in loss for some years.
The Forum of Unions/Associations of which BSNLEU is a part and its General Secretary is the Convener, has demanded that wage revision for BSNL executives and employees should be granted without delay. While the report of III Pay Revision Committee is for executives, the wage revision for non-executives is according to settlement in wage negotiation with the recognized union/unions ie. BSNLEU and NFTE. Both have demanded early wage negotiation.
The pension revision for BSNL retirees was implemented both times earlier ( w.e.f. 01-01-2000 and 01-01-2007) after the wage revision of employees in IDA scales.

13. There is a feeling among some pensioners’ organizations that since the wage revision for BSNL employees may not be there, how we can get pension revision and why can’t we demand the pension revision on the basis of the VII Central Pay Commission? It means that IDA pension till this time has to be changed to CDA pension revision.

14. In that case, what will be the pension for the employees retiring now? If there is no wage revision, their salary will not increase, many of who are already in the stagnation level, especially those in the lower pay scales and their pension will be less. On what basis their pension revision will be fixed? These are questions which have to be sorted out.

15. The other aspect. If there is no wage revision now, it may be difficult for another wage revision later. This will adversely affect the pension revision of all those retiring after wards (DOT recruitees). Leave encashment, gratuity and all pensionary benefits, including pension will be lower. Accepting such a position will be dangerous and ignoring the future of all the DOT recruitees still in service. Such employees may be there up to 2035, may be less in number. Can we ignore their future and pension?

16. About 50,000 BSNL recruitees are there at present. They will start retiring probably by 2030 or earlier. There are regularized casual labours, about 4,000 or so, who may start retiring by 2020 or earlier. If there is no wage revision for them, what will be their condition? Will they be in the same payscale/promoted pay scale without any wage revision till they retire as is the case of the employees of the ITI, HMT etc. This is a proposition that a trade union worth its name cannot accept.

17. The pension of the direct recruitees are fixed on the basis of pension contribution by the management as per EPF rules. This comes less than Rs. 1,000 at present. That is why the trade unions had demanded earlier that at least Rs. 1,000 should be paid as EPF/NPS/EPS pension.(now the demand is for increased amount). The demand of BSNLEU and other unions/Association for 30% pensionary benefits is not yet accepted. From the present 18%, they have agreed to increase 4% which is completely insufficient. The newly recruited employees cannot be cheated of their justified pension. Either they should be paid defined statutory pension just like BSNL retirees or 30% pensionary benefits should be granted. Even in this case, unless there is a wage revision, their wages and pension will be much less.

18. In such a case, the logical demand that should be placed is the immediate wage revision for the BSNL employees and pension revision accordingly, which will benefit the present pensioners also, as was the case with the last two wage revisions. This may be difficult in the present circumstances, but not impossible. BSNL Unions have the tradition of making impossible in to possible and a history of fighting against the wrong policies of the government. For instance, despite government decision, it could not implement VRS/Retrenchment of one lakh workers, unbundling of cables, selling of shares, disinvestment to the extent of 10%-25% etc. The issues of II wage revision in 2007, 78.2% pay fixation as well as IDA pension fixation, Bonus even when BSNL is in loss, group insurance, supply of watch etc. etc. have been settled despite initial denial.

19. There is full justification for wage revision of BSNL employees. If the profit and loss of the company is taken for its 16 years of existence, it is almost equal. During the last two years, there is operational profit. The net loss has come down. The loss is only due to the huge depreciation. Services have improved despite lack of equipment, workers etc. The wage bill has not increased for the last 5 years, due to the retirement of large number of employees. The productivity is one of the highest in the PSUs. The workers are making maximum effort for improving the services and finances. The CMD BSNL had stated that the company will be in profit during the year 2017-18, (but may not happen due to demonetization and entry of Reliance Jio,), but any way will be profitable by next year. It is not because of the workers, but only due to the anti-PSU policy of the government that the company has become loss-making. Government is in a move to assist the private telecom companies by reducing their dues to the government in ADC, USOF etc.; why not such relief should be provided to BSNL and make it profitable. BSNL management has already approached the government to waive the affordability clause. The assurance of financial assistance at the time of formation of BSNL should be honoured. The excess land and building assets of the company can be leased/rented and income ensured. There are a lot of ways to assist the BSNL to make it better and profitable. These issues are already raised by BSNLEU and other unions/associations.

20. When the workers are in a bitter fight to get their wages improved, it is the duty of the pensioners to support and give all solidarity to them, which will benefit the pensioners also. It is only through the glorious struggles and strikes of the employees that many of the pensioners’ demands have been achieved. Even now, many of the pensioners demands are being taken by the unions/associations of the employees. The pensioners’ organizations can not accept defeat, even before serious struggle has taken place.

21. Though the III PRC has put the affordability clause for the wage revision of employees, the case is different for the BSNL pensioners. It is not BSNL which pays the pension and the affordability clause cannot be applicable to government. 60:40 condition has been removed and the entire pension is to be paid by the government. In this situation, the 15% fitment as recommended by the III PRC for PSUs should be made applicable for the BSNL retirees and pension revision made accordingly. This demand has already been placed by AIBDPA. This has got full justification. It is also a continuation in IDA pension fixation as before. This is a better and more justified demand than the demand for 14.29% fixation recommended by VII CPC. Shifting from IDA pension to CDA pension has got its own ramifications and future complications.

22. For pension revision, whatever the method be, it will require serious struggles not only of the pensioners, but also of the workers. Pensioners’ organizations cannot think only of their own demands, but also has to see the future of the new pensioners. That is why the demand for the wage revision of the employees also becomes a priority.

23. BSNL retirees are eligible for getting the benefits of the Pay Commission recommendations as per Pension Rules, other than pension, which is fixed according to the last pay drawn. The government has accepted the III option recommended by the V CPC, although they refused to implement Option I, recommended by the VII CPC. Implementing Option III, the comparison with the present pay of the employees in the same grade may come in to the picture. If the employee does not get wage revision, what will be the exact benefit that the new pensioner will get? It will be a permanent loss. The existing pensioners will also not get benefit under Option III, since the employees on retirement will not be getting higher wages, which is to be considered for Option III.

24. Pension and pensionary benefits have been won after continued struggles. The case of family pension is also there. The discrimination in pension between Class III and IV etc. could be removed only after sustained struggles. The pensioners were workers and the workers are future pensioners. There is a clear bond between them. Any move to create difference between them will be suicidal.

25. Finally, it can be seen that in all the struggles and actions on the demand of the pensioners, BSNLEU and AIBDPA have been in the fore-front. Individuals may come and go, but the organizations continue for the cause of the workers and pensioners. Any weakening of these ties will be utilized by the government to deny the rights of both. The entire strength of the workers and pensioners will be required to achieve the demand of the pensioners and retirees.
………………..

Gauri Lankesh, Progressive Journalist murdered in Bengaluru

06 Wednesday Sep 2017

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Progressive journalist, free thinker and a strong critic of Sangh Parivar, Ms. Gauri Lankesh was brutally murdered in her house yesterday night. Bike-borne assailants put bullets after bullets and escaped immediately. 7 bullets have been found on her. She was returning from office and had got down to open the gate when the murderers shot her. It seems that the Sangh Parivar is behind the gruesome murder.

This is the fourth instance  of well known thinkers  and rationalists  who have been exposing the RSS and Sangh Parivar having been murdered. Comrades Narendra Dabolkar (Maharashtra) was killed on 20-08-2013, Govinda Pansare (Maharashtra) on 16-02-2015 and M.M.Kulbargi (Karnataka) on 30-08-2015. These sinister murders show how the Sangh Parivar eliminate those who expose them. According to the Home Minister of Karnataka, there is similarity in the bullets fired in all the above cases as per Karnataka Forensic Laboratory  test and the same has been confirmed by Scotland Yard.

Gauri Lankesh was a strong critic of the anti-people policies of the government and also that of the RSS / Sangh Parivar. She received many threats to her life earlier, but continued her crusade against injustice.

We strongly condemn the murder of Ms. Gauri Lankesh and  convey our condolence to the bereaved family and friends. We demand the government to take immediate action to catch the culprits and punish them.

Wage Revision in BSNL – Start it now!

05 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by in BSNL, Wage Revision BSNL - 2017

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The DOT and the Communication Ministry is yet to grant permission to the CMD BSNL to hold wage negotiation w.e.f. 01-01-2017 to the non-executive employees. The III PRC report for the executives have been accepted by the government, but on the plea of the “affordability” clause in the report that loss making PSU can not be grated wage revision, the DOT has not granted any permission to start wage negotiation. It is understood that DOT and Minister are against wage revision in BSNL.

What neither the DOT nor the Ministry realise is that the employees in BSNL who got absorbed from DOT, were government employees, they were compelled get absorbed in BSNL with much assurances including high wages. To deny them wage revision now is a violation of the agreement made at the time of corporatisation.

Communication Minister and Secretary DOT have to rethink in the matter. The right of the employees for wage revision after long ten years can not be rejected.

We demand the government to direct BSNL Management to start wage negotiation at the earliest. This is only justice to the hard working employees.

Unwarranted delay is settlement of Pre-2016 pension cases

05 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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AIBDPA has been putting much pressure on the DOT and BSNL Management for the early settlement of the pre-2016 fixation cases as per the accepted recommendations of the VII CPC for the DOT pensioners. The committee which looked in to the matter has found out that out of 91,317 cases, only 1,059 has been settled so far. It is a cruelty to the DOT pensioners, who are mostly above the age of 75 or so.

The DOT has now issued strict instructions for settlement of the cases early. The earlier target date  was 31-08-2017, which is already over. CMD BSNL has also issued  strict instructions for the early settlement.

Circle / District Secretaries of AIBDPA are requested to contact the concerned pensioners as also the CCAs and ensure early settlement of the cases.

 

Thessalonki Declaration of Trade Unions

05 Tuesday Sep 2017

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With The Workers Of All Countries For A World Without Exploitation, Wars, Refugees

On June 24, 2017, a large demonstration of thousands of workers against NATO was held in Thessaloniki, Greece, against the imperialist wars and interventions that destroy people and create millions of refugees. On June 25, trade unions from various countries of the region met and discussed the position of the workers, of the trade union movement, against the dangerous developments and the competitions of monopolies and imperialist organizations that victimize the peoples.

The international, anti-imperialist, anti-war, trade union meeting estimated that the Working Class must be on alert, prepared, and fight against both the anti-workers’ policies of the Capital and its governments, and against the competitions of the imperialists. The focus of their competitions is:

  • How to share the damages of the crisis and how they will benefit from the capitalist development, which all agree that is weak, with big problems.
  • Which monopolies will take the lead in the course of the competition
  • Who is going to take control of the markets, the energy sources of gas, oil and even water, the energy pipes and commercial transport routes.

In all countries, capitalist governments, participate in imperialist competitions, interventions and wars, with one or another imperialist group. Their main concern is to defend the interests of the ruling class of their own country, their business groups in the international chessboard. Their declarations of peace and security are rapidly increasing as far as their war budget is growing.

Workers of the world are witnessing the spread of war in more and more areas, especially in our region. The Balkan peoples pay for the consequences of border change, state dismemberment and the continued cultivation of nationalist hatred, the boot of USA-NATO-EU in the region in the context of their capitalist competition with Russia and China, the interests of the bourgeoisie in the countries of the region.

At the same time, the EU is strengthening its militarization. It establishes a European Army, European Headquarters, emergency forces (the Eurocorps), and promotes the European Defense Union as well as the European Defense Fund.

NATO and the EU are transnational imperialist unions, of which the peoples can only wait for exploitation and poverty, war and refuge for the many and immense wealth for the very few and in our country it is our duty to strengthen our struggle against them.

At the same time, the working class at international level is experiencing the continuation of a brutal attack against its rights. For the profits of business groups, the European Union and governments of each country, legislate anti-labor measures. They cut wages or give rise to very small increases that are evaporated by all the anti-people measures while the monopolies are getting wealthier. An important attack is  against the rights of workers to trade union action, the right to organize in trade unions and the right to strike.

The all-out attack that condemns the working class in each country to unemployment, poverty, and impoverishment is one aspect of the of class policies.

The other side is the unjust imperialist war that unfolds for the interests of the big financial groups. (Courtesy: WFTU)

Air India and BSNL in the list for privatisation / Disinvestment

04 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by in BSNL

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The greedy eyes of the corporates have been on Air India and BSNL for the last many years. Both the UPA and NDA governments have been pushing through this agenda through out, but due to the strong opposition from the unions, they could not implement so far. But by sinister moves, the government has made them both loss making during the last ten years or so, so that on that count the dismemberment can take place, with out criticism from the people.. Both of them were making good profits before the government started ulterior moves to make them loss making.

Air India was making good profit and running efficiently till it was merged with India Airlines. Further, the profitable routes were handed over to private companies. Air India flight was time scheduled to be the third or fourth flight on the same route with the private companies getting the earlier slot. Equal flights to foreign companies was changed in favour the foreign carriers. 111 planes were ordered at the initiative of the Civil Aviation Minister, where as 35 only was necessary and the entire funds misused. With all this anti-Air India decisions, it has been made loss making as required. The private companies benefitted and strengthened. Now Government has decided to strategically sell the Air India.

The case of BSNL is not different. With the promise of strengthening telecom services with all assurances of financial assistance  to it, BSNL was formed as a PSU in 2000. It was highly profitable for the first 6-7 years with the annual profit reaching to the extent of Rs.6000 to 12,000 crore with a revenue of Rs. 35,000 -40,000 crore. It was one of the most profitable PSU in the country. It is to be noted that BSNL grew and increased its position despite the fact that private companies have been functioning with all help from the government for the last 10 years.

It is at this junction in 2006 that the then Minister directly intervened and cancelled tender for 4.5 crore mobile lines on flimsy grounds. Again a 9 crore lines tender was cancelled. BSNL was starved of equipments at a time when the Indian telecom market was exploding and all the benefits were  given to the private companies. All the cash balance of the company of Rs. 40,000 crore was taken over by the government on or other plea. The ADC fund to BSNL was reduced and stopped. The USO Fund to compensate for the loss making village connections were reduced and denied in some cases. More than 1,80,000 vacancies arisen due to retirement have not been filled up. When the Ministers themselves are part of corruption, there is no stopping some top management corrupt officers who utilised BSNL to their own benefit making the company huge loss. Many such vigilance cases are pending for years together.

BSNL has been able to withstand to the present extend only through the continuous struggle of the employees and their unions and associations. Programmes initiated by the employees like “Service With A Smile”, “Subscriber Delight Year” etc. in the last few years, supported by the management also has stopped increase of losses and have actually reduced the same. For the last two years, there is operational profit. If, demonetisation and the entry of Reliance Jio with its deep pockets has not arrived, BSNL would have got real profit by 2017-18.

The decision of the government to privatise / disinvest these two major PSUs should be opposed and defeated. The Central Trade Unions have been fighting against the privatisation of the PSUs and many united strikes have taken place. A Maha Dharna before Parliament will be organised with lakhs of workers for three days  from 9th to 11th November 2017. It may be followed by strike.

The employees of the PSUs, the trade unions and the people together has to defeat the sinister move of the government to sell the valuable property of the  Nation.

Whether Pension based on Govt. Salary or BSNL Salary for BSNL Pensioners ?

04 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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It has been brought to our notice that one of our senior pensioner comrade has criticised the position taken up by BSNLEU and certain leaders on what basis the pension of BSNL retirees is to be calculated and what should be our demand? His right to criticise is fully accepted.

This is not the first time that such  a criticism has been raised. It was also there  when the wage negotiation for BSNL employees with effect from 2000 started. Com.O.P.Gupta, Secretary General, NFTE, had said that the salary of the BSNL employees should the same as that of CG employees plus Rs. 1500 or so for all employees equally and the pension for BSNL retirees should be on the basis of the salary of the government employee (pay scale implemented as per the V CPC). He also stated that if IDA payscales are accepted, there will be difficulty in getting government pension, which is on CDA scale. Com. VAN Namboodiri and all other leaders, including Com. Jagan, senior leader of NFTE, pressed that since BSNL is a PSU, IDA scales should be given to employees and pension also should be on the basis of the IDA pay scales to be finalised in the wage negotiation. According to this decision wage agreement was finalised. Instead of Rs. 2,400 at the lowest level, BSNL employees got Rs.4,000 and all cadres above much higher than the V CPC payscale.

Though there was some initial difficulty in getting pension on the IDA pay scale as stated by OPG, after much effort and agitational programme, the government agreed and paid the pension on IDA pay scale. This was much higher than the pension received tothe government employees. Nobody at that time said that this was wrong. Every body got the increased pension and all were happy.

When the VI CPC recommendation was accepted and the payscale was fixed accordingly to the CG Employees, no union or individual demanded that CGE (CDA) payscale or pension should be implemented for BSNL employees/pensioners. After three years of gruelling fight by BSNLEU, then recognised union, a very good wage revision with 30% was implemented, with an IDA pay scale much more than the CDA scale. Executives already got the same as per II PRC. Again there was some difficulty in getting pension on the IDA scale, but after lot of struggles and strikes under the leadership of Forum/Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations, the much beneficial IDA pension was given, which was thousands of rupees more than the equivalent government pensioner. Nobody questioned the settlement as all were part of it and it benefitted the BSNL employee and pensioner.

It was the same case with the 78.2% IDA pension fixation. The government was not prepared stating that BSNL is on loss and only after two days strike on 21-22 April 2015 under the leadership of the Joint Forum/ Forum of Unions and Associations that the government came down and started discussions, which was held on 1st May 2015 between the Secretary DOT and the 18 unions which were part of the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations. Communication Minister Ravi Shankar was also met. All these paved the way for the settlement of the issue. And the BSNL pensioners  got that benefit also.

Now the question arises. The recommendations of the VII CPC has been implemented for the CG employees w.e.f. 01-01-2016 after 10 years of the last wage revision which was in 2006. Unions/Associations in BSNL have demanded wage revision from 01-01-2017, after 10 years of the last wage revision. The recommendations of the III Pay Revision Committee has been accepted by the government for the executives in BSNL. The BSNL Unions and Associations etc. have demanded for early wage negotiation for the wage revision for non-executives. According to the  stipulation of the “affordability clause” of the III PRC, it will be difficult for the BSNL employees to get wage revision and hence they have demanded that this clause should not be applicable for BSNL due to various reasons, including that BSNL is coming up with the full support and initiative of the workers, that it will be profitable by 2018 as per statement of the CMD BSNL, that BSNL is already having operational profit for the last two years etc. etc. BSNL management has also supported  the demand of the employees for wage revision and conveyed the same to the government. One day strike was organised by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations on this issue and further struggles are being chalked out.

If some comrade feels that all these unanimous decisions were wrong and that the salary and pension should be calculated on the basis of the CDA pay scales and pension as per the decisions of the VI CPC and VII CPC, not only the workers but the pensioners are  going to lose heavily. The BSNL workers and pensioners have fully accepted and appreciated the IDA pay scales and the eligible pension accordingly and benefitted.

Or if some comrade feels that the Unions and Association of BSNL are not capable of getting a wage revision, that is another matter. There were some comrades during the II wage negotiation in 2007 also, who wanted the VI CPC benefit to be implemented, stating that the company has started posting loss. Due to the wage settlement, the pensioners also got more than the CDA fixation, especially due to the 30% fixation which was got after serious fight.

The question is whether the BSNL employees and pensioners surrender to the dictates of the government and the III PRC or fight for getting their rights. Bonus which was denied to the employees were got after a big fight, despite BSNL was in loss.

Let us not ridicule and humiliate the BSNL employees and executives for asking wage revision despite the company being in loss. The government will be forced today or tomorrow to accept the same. BSNL employees and Associations have the potential for that fight. Let the pensioners also support them for such a struggle. And the BSNL pensioners will get further benefit out of the same. The unity of the employees and pensioners is most important. Lt us not forget that it was also due to the strong pressure of the employees that Medical Allowance was restored to the BSNL pensioners, even though it was not restored to BSNL employees.

“Unity for Struggle, Struggle for Unity, and Unity and Struggle for Progress” is our slogan.

Kerala Government programme for teaching Malayalam to migrant labour

03 Sunday Sep 2017

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The Kerala LDF government has started a scheme for teaching Malayalam, the language of Kerala, to the lakhs migrant labour, from the Hindi states, Bengal, Odisha, Bihar etc. There number is increasing and many of them are settling in Kerala..

Survey to identify the workers will start soon. Awareness programme, cultural programme, classes in  schools, libraries and other public places and even where the workers live and work will be organised. Hindi and Malayalam instructors will be appointed for this purpose.

We congratulate the good initiative of the Kerala government, which will empower the migrant labour!

Demonetisation – Himalayan Blunder or favoring black money holders?

03 Sunday Sep 2017

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“Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan has revealed that the institution had warned the government about the ramifications of the latter’s decision to demonetise the high-value currency notes overnight. In an interview to The Times of India, Rajan said that though the central bank’s advice was solicited in the matter, it was not asked to take a stand on the note ban.
The former RBI chief said that he had warned the Centre about the immediate consequences of unplanned demonetisation, and that he had proposed substitute moves for rooting out a suspected shadow economy. “The RBI flagged what would happen if preparation was inadequate,” the newspaper cited Rajan as saying.” (Ganashakti Daily).
It is exposed now. Demonetisation was implemented with out any preparation and ignoring the opinion of the Reserve bank of India, The aims of the demonetisation as claimed by the Prime Minister – not even one of them is fulfilled. On the other hand, people had to face lot of difficulties, business came down and the economy also came down.
Demonetisation was nothing short of the blunder of shifting of the capital from Delhi to Daulatbad (Deccan) by Mohammed bin Tuglak.
Or, was it a calculated move on the part of the government to give a chance to the black marketeers, big business, corporates and BJP leaders to convert black money in to white money?

Kerala Government, the target of the Centre

02 Saturday Sep 2017

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Kerala LDF Government led by Pinarayi Vijayan is moving ahead with people friendly programmes and active implementation of the same. The support to the govt is increasing.

The central govt led by BJP and guided by RSS is unable to digest this situation. All baseless propaganda is being spread by RSS and BJP. Their long term aim is to get the Kerala govt got dismissed, as was done in 1959.

But this time, it is not easy Shri Amit Shah!