Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

EPFO signs with Private banks for collection and payments

06 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in PSU

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Government and private banks have been scheming for long how to hand over the big corpus of EPFO for maximisation of the profit of the private banks and corporates. As like any other order, without discussing the stakeholders ie. the employees and their unions, the EPFO has signed an agreement with four private banks and also PSU Bank, Bank of Baroda, for collection of provident fund dues and payments to the subscribers.  The private banks are ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. EPFO had earlier tied up with the  PSU Banks viz. Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Indian Bank and Union Bank of India.

Earlier justification of agreement with banks was that they are PSU Banks. Now the private banks are also included.

There is no security for the amount put in the private banks. Once the bank is collapsed, the subscribers will be cheated of their hard earned savings.

Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting of TUI (Public Services) at Thiruvananthapuram on 11-12 September 2017

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in WFTU

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It is reported that the Asia – Pacific Regional meeting of Trade Union International (TUI) – Public Services (WFTU) and World Secretariat meeting will be held at Thiruvananthapuram on 11th & 12th September 2017. This is the international organisation of the Public Services which includes the service organisations including BSNLEU, Confederation etc. It is affiliated to World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). We are happy that this session is being held at Thiruvananthapuram , when more and more attacks are coming against the workers both in India and outside. We hope that fruitful decisions will be taken by the Meeting.

Payment of Wages to contract workers in Jharkhand – Dy. CLC decision.

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

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I am herewith quoting a report received from Com. Naresh Lal, CS, BSNLEU Jharkhand and leader of BSNLCCWF on a successful negotiation on the payment of wages to contract workers. The Dy CLC directed the BSNL management to pay Rs. 60,24,282 as wages to workers within three months. Our Hearty congratulations to the workers and leaders of Jharkhand.

“On 23.06.2017 a tripartie meeting held in the chamber of the Dy CLC(Central) Dhanbad amongst BSNL Dainik Bhogi Mazdoor Sangh Jharkhand
under leadership of Com Bhawan Singh the President of Union, BSNL Management Jharkhand represented by the Superintending Engineer
(Electrical) and Executive Engineer (Electrial) and the Labour Department.
This meeting was held to decide wage payment and also less wage payment to contract workers in Electrical wing in Jharkhand .
A claim for Rs. 60,24,282/- (Sixty lac twenty four thousand two hundred and eighty two) was raised for which management wanted a time slot for six months which was denied by the Dy CLC and granted three months to pay wage arrears and also difference of already paid less wage . Retrenchment two workers in Ranchi SSA was also raised which could not be discussed because non representation of the GMT BSNL Ranchi SSA. For this another date ,10.07.2017 , was fixed with intimation to the GMT Ranchi SSA .”

DOT asks MTNL to reduce retirement age from 60 to 58

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Telecom

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I am giving below a press report in which it is stated that DOT has asked MTNL to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58, in order to reduce the staff and to reduce the expenditure on VRS. The Modi government, it seems, is determined to finish the MTNL and put its employees on the road. If the experiment is successful, the next target will be BSNL. In this connection it is to be mentioned that the government has no moral right to reduce the retirement age, since the employees have been planning their retirement life with the preparation to retire at 60 years and any pre-retirement will put them in to much difficulties and even may destroy their future life. Strong protest should rise against this arbitrary decision.

Press report
“Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd’s plan to become leaner is unlikely to fructify any time soon as the department of telecommunications has told the state-owned telecom services provider to first bring down the retirement age for its employees to 58 from 60 before seeking any support to fund a planned voluntary retirement scheme, according to an official.

According to the official, the company had sought the department’s support to initiate a VRS for its employees to bring down its staff costs—currently almost neck-to-neck with its revenues. Reduction in the retirement age will automatically bring down the number of people eligible for VRS and hence save the government some cash.

Years of losses, abetted by a lethargic and huge manpower and slow decision-making, have pulled down the MTNL’s networth into negative. Its revenues have little chance of recovering given that the market has matured and at the same time remains competitive. The company’s last annual profit was in 2008-09. Its net loss in March quarter was Rs. 634.78 crores – the lowest among the losses in the four quarters of 2016-17.

MTNL had a staff strength of 28,877 as on December 31, 2016. Of this, 4,027 were executives and 24,850 were non-executives.

At the end of last calendar year, the company had a total of 7.10 million subscribers. Of this, 3.63 million were mobile subscribers while 3.48 million were landline connections.”

Confederation supports Defence Workers’ Struggle against Privatisation

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in CG Employees, TU News - India

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CONFEDERATION EXTENDS FULL SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY TO THE STRUGGLE OF DEFENCE EMPLOYEES AGAINST PRIVATISATION.
Successive Governments after 1990s have started permitting private sector in the field of Defence production. During May 2001, the Defence Industry sector which was reserved for the Government sector and Public sector was opened to 100% for Indian private sector with 26% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Subsequently the FDI cap in Defence was raised to 49% and now the NDA Govt raised it to 100%. Government has issued so far 222 licenses to private corporate sector like ADHANI, AMBANI, L&T, ASHOK LEYLAND, BHARAT FORGE, GODREJ &BOYCE, PUNJ LLOYD, PIPAVAV DEFENSE, PREMIER EXPLOSIVES etc,. The present Govt is bent upon to extend all types of support to the Indian private corporate houses and their foreign collaborators. Recently the Prime Minister office asked all the 41 Ordnance Factories, the information about the name of the products manufactured, its photographs, technical description, land holding by each factories, details of plants and machinery, strength of employees etc.,
On 27-04-2017, the Ministry of Defence issued an order with the approval of the Defence Minister Shri Arun Jaitely, to completely outsource 143 defence equipment like Military, Vehicles, Ammunition, Ammunition boxes, Guns, Rifles, Tanks, Troop comfort items etc., which are being manufactured at present by the ordnance factories. This decision of the Govt is going to affect more than 25 Ordnance factories and about 20,000 defence employees will be thrown out of job. Again another order was issued categorizing 39 more items as “non-care” items for outsourcing. All these decisions are taken to encourage private corporates, making the state-owned Defence Industries sick and redundant and bringing in their place the private corporate sector whose sole intention is to earn more and more profit.
The All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) is on a war path and has already started series of agitations and campaign programmes against the policy decision of the Government to privatise Defence Industry and closure of ordnance factories rendering thousands of defence employees surplus and consequent retrenchment.
As a higher form of agitation AIDEF has commenced indefinite relay hunger fast near Parliament (Jantar Manthar) from 3rd July 2017 onwards. The relay fast was inaugurated by Com. Sharad Yadav, MP. Former Vice President of AIDEF.
The National Secretariat of Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers extends full support and solidarity to the struggle of the Defence Employees against privatization. ( Courtesy: Confederation News)

Parliament March by GDS (ED) on 27th July 2017

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Postal Service

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NFPE has called upon its workers to participate in large numbers in the Parliament March being organised on 27th July 2017 on the issues of the Gramin Dak Sevaks (former EDA). The favourable recommendations of the VII CPC are yet to be implemented. The demand for regularization has not been accepted.

It is in these circumstances that the Parliament March is being organised on 27th July 2017. Thousands of workers are expected to participate.

We support and extend our solidarity to the fully justified struggle!

 

Protest Demonstration against US President Donald Trump

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in WORLD NEWS

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Los Angeles, Jul 3 : Demonstrators hoisting signs and chanting anti-Donald Trump slogans marched through downtown Los Angeles to urge Congress to impeach the president.
The Los Angeles march was one of several similar gatherings yesterday across California and the nation.
Organisers say they believe the president has violated the US Constitution and obstructed justice.
One banner called the president an “Illegitimate Corrupt Puppet.”
Marcher John Meranda tells the Los Angeles Times he has attended five recent anti-Trump marches. The 56-year-old says he’s most recently frightened by the Republican proposal to cut billions of dollars from the Medicaid program.
A smaller group of pro-Trump protesters gathered nearby outside Los Angeles police headquarters. The Trump supporters say they’re unconcerned about allegations that Trump tried to thwart an FBI investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Report from TUI (pensioners and Retirees) Britain

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in TUI of P&R

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Report of Activity during 2017 from Pensioners and Retirees in Britain to Quim Boix, Secretary, TUI(P and R).

This year of 2017 for Pensioners and Retirees in Britain has so far been one of struggle. Britain; similar to other European and Worldwide countries continues to suffer from the attacks of the ongoing crisis of Capitalism and its attempt to offload the crisis to workers and Retired peoples.
Following the result of the Referendum of the British people to leave the European Union in 2016, continuing attacks on are being attempted to deny that democratic decision. Cuts to Pensions, Housing, Education, Social Care to name a few of hard won rights are being attempted.
The Conservative Government in May decided to call a quick General Election, due to opinion poles and the recent election results in parts of Europe and elsewhere, thinking “the time was right” to increase its majority in Parliament to facilitate further draconian cuts. The Political Opposition of the British Labour Party during 2015/2016 had suffered losses and divisions, caused mainly by its members of Parliament refusing to accept the overwhelming rank-and-file membership to elect a progressive Leader, so the Government took advantage of this also and called a snap election, and published a draconian manifesto attacking Workers and Pensioners alike. The response from Trade Unions and Pensioners, and also young people was immediate. The Labour Party in turn published a progressive manifesto calling for better housing, improved Pensions, abolition of Student University Fees, the end of Privatisation of Transport, Energy, A new Social Care Consultation Programme, The abolition of Anti-Trade Union legislation etc. The mobilisation of the Trade Unions, Students, the Unemployed and Pensioners and Retired People around this manifesto successfully prevented the Conservative Government obtaining its attempt to make the people pay for the crisis of Capitalism.
The struggle is not yet won of course, but there is a new air of optimism to carry on that struggle. Unity is Strength.

Labour Code on Social Security – A fraud on the workers

02 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in TU News - India

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The draft of the Labour Code on Social Security Benefits amalgamating 15 existing laws/acts has been placed in public domain by the Labour Ministry for comments, views etc. The proposals of the ministry are against the interests of the workers and takes away many of the existing rights and benefits. Certain points connected with the same are given below:

  1. Threshold of the workers for availing of the social security benefits have been increased to factories engaging 40 or more workers. At present it is 10 in some cases and 15 in others. This will result in that about 75 % workers will be deprived of the social security benefits.
  2. 12.5% of wages will have to be contributed by the workers. But there is no contribution from the employers. Self employed have to contribute 20%.
  3. Unorganised workers have to contribute in the same way as organised workers.
  4. Govt. is empowered to exempt any section of workers from the benefits.
  5. Existing welfare Schemes will be faced out. But what about in future is yet to be clearly spelt out.
  6. No provision for temporary withdrawals from EPF etc. as at present.
  7. When there is no work, the worker will be excluded from the benefits.
  8. The representation of the central trade unions in the committees will be reduced from the present six (major six central TUs) to two, making the committees one sided.

The above is only illustrative. There are many other conditions which take away the existing benefits won through years of struggles and court cases.

The new Labour Code on Social Security is a fraud and deception on the workers. This has got to be fought and defeated. Better benefits should be won for the workers.

(With input from the CITU Statement)

Leaders of NFPTE from 1954 to 1986.

02 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in P&T TU History, Uncategorized

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National Federation of P&T Employees (NFPTE) was one of the mighty organisations in the central sector, which has a great tradition. It was formed on 24th November 1954 at New Delhi by merging all the existing unions. NFPTE was bifurcated in to NFPE and NFTE after the bifurcation of the P and T department in to Department of Posts and Department of Communications. The
bifurcation of NFPTE was done in the Federal Council held at Calcutta on 17-21 March 1986. During the 32 years of its existence, it has fought many battle for the employees and their advancement. Below is given the Federal Councils held during the period and the officer bearers who were elected to lead the organisation. (Only the name of the President, Secretary General and Treasurer is given)

(This is part of the book being published by NFPE on the history of the NFPTE authored by V.A.N.Namboodiri)
NFPTE Office Bearers ( 1954 to 1986).

Formation of NFPTE at New Delhi Federal Council on 21-24 November 1954
President : V.G.Dalvi
Secretary General : Dada Ghosh (B.N.Ghosh)
Treasurer : Makhan Singh

Federal Council at Calcutta on 28th Dec. 1955 to 2nd January 1956
President : V.G.Dalvi
Secretary General : Dada Ghosh
Treasurer : B.K.Raina

Federal Council at Hyderabad 26th December 1956 to 1st January 1957
President : V.G.Dalvi
Secretary General : Dada Ghosh
Treasurer : B.L.Raina

Federal Council at Bombay 5-10 December 1957
President : V.G.Dalvi
Secretary General : Dada Ghosh
Treasurer : B.L.Raina

Federal Council at Jaipur on 26-31 December 1958
President : V.G.Dalvi
Secretary General : Dada Ghosh
Treasurer : G.D.Jhingam

Federal Council at Gauhati, on 19-25 April 1960
President : V.G.Dalvi
Secretary General : P.S.R.Anjaneyulu
Treasurer : G.D.Jhingam

Federal Council at Nagpur on 20-24 October 1962
President : Nawab Singh Chauhan, M.P.
Secretary General : P.S.R.Anjaneyulu
Treasurer : G.D.Jhingam

Federal Council at Madras on 27th December 1963 to 1st January 1964
President : Mahesh Dutt Mishra M.P.
Secretary General : P.S.R.Anjaneyulu
Treasurer : G.D.Jhingam

Federal Council at Ambala on 21-26 February 1965
President : Mahesh Dutt Mishra M.P.
Secretary General : D.Gnaniah
Treasurer : Waryam Singh

Federal Council at Patna on 26-31 March 1966
President : M.D.Mishra M.P.
Secretary General : D.Gnaniah
Treasurer : Waryam Singh

Federal Council at Jabalpur on 22-27 January 1967
President : M.D.Mishra M.P.
Secretary General : D.Gnaniah
Treasurer : Waryam Singh

Federal Council at Vijayawada 9-14 May 1970
President : K.G.Bose
Secretary General : A.S.Rajan
Treasurer : Sadaram Tanwar

Federal Council at Calcutta 28th Oct. to 3rd November 1971
President : K.G.Bose
Secretary General : A.S.Rajan
Treasurer : Sadaram Tanwar.

As per Agreement in Unity Meeting at New Delhi on 25th October 1975 between both groups
President : N.K.Bhat M.P.
Secretary General : A.Pirmanathan
Treasurer : Sadaram Tanwar

Federal Council at Bombay on 6-8 August 1976
President : Shashi Bhushan M.P.
Secretary General : D.Gnaniah
Treasurer : P.N.Mehta

Federal Council at Bangalore on 5-9 May 1978
President : R.G.Sharma
Secretary General : O.P.Gupta
Treasurer : P.N.Mehta

Federal Council at Cochin 27-30 April 1980
President : R.G.Sharma
Secretary General : O.P.Gupta
Treasurer : P.N.Mehta

Federal Council at Bombay on 24-27 February 1983
President : R.G.Sharma
Secretary General : O.P.Gupta
Treasurer : P.N.Mehta

Federal Council at Calcutta on 17-21 March 1986
President : K.L.Moza ( After one year O.P.Gupta)
Secretary General : O.P.Gupta(After one year K.L.Moza)
Treasurer : Mohamed Yunus
First Office-bearers of NFPE and NFTE elected at Calcutta 17-21 March 1986
NFPE
President : N.J.Iyer
Secretary General : K.Adinarayana
Treasurer : Des Raj Sharma
NFTE
President : S.S.Nayar
Secretary General : O.P.Gupta
Treasurer : Dua.

(Taken from the book on ” P&T Trade Union Movement” to be published by NFPE)