Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Restore the Medical Allowance to BSNL Pensioners.

06 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLEU

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Pensioners belong to the weaker section. They require continuous care and medical treatment to keep up their health. It is with this concern that  it was decided that Medical Allowance with out voucher will be paid to the employees as well as pensioners.

But in the name of loss to the company, BSNL has stopped this allowance arbitrarily, three years back. The Forum of BSNL Unions/associations, as well as BSNLEU, had taken up the case of restoration of this allowance, both to employees and pensioners. As a first step, the staff side in the National Council as also AIBDPA demanded that at least the medical Allowance to the Pensioners be restored. A sympathetic attitude was expected from the BSNL Management. But so far, nothing has moved in this respect.

We demand that the BSNL Management should take immediate action to restore the Medical Allowance to the Pensioners.

Bank Employees get Paternity Leave

06 Saturday Jun 2015

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As per the new wage agreement, Bank Employees will get paternity leave up to 15 days to look after the new born child or before the delivery of the spouse. Paternity Leave is already in existence in the Central Services as per the recommendations of the VI CPC. The Paternity Leave system should be extended to all PSUs and private companies, wherever it has not been  implemented so far.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 3 )

06 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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2005

Agitation against FDI in Telecom – Protest Demonstrations on 08-02-2005

In the meanwhile, government decided to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in telecom from 49% to 74%. The increase in FDI meant that foreign companies will take over the Indian companies. Further, inducting huge money in the private telecom companies will adversely affect the prospects of BSNL and MTNL. Hence, this was opposed by the Joint Forum which  organised strong protest demonstrations on 8th February 2005.

Proposal for Merger of BSNL and MTNL

The government started a move to merge BSNL and MTNL. For synergizing the merger, a consortium including ICICI Securities, ABM Amro, N.M.Rothchild, A.F.Fergusan, Desai & Dewanji was appointed. The Forum expressed its strong view that the merger can be considered only after the MTNL shares sold are bought back by the government/MTNL.

USO Fund allotment insufficient to meet the losses incurred by BSNL

Though it was the commitment of the government that the losses incurred by BSNL for providing rural connections will be compensated by allotment from USO Fund, the implementation was faulty and only a part of the loss was made up. The following statistics from a reply given in Parliament will make it clear:

Loss of BSNL for rural connections    Reimbursement of licence fee etc.    From USO Fund   Total

2000-2001    Rs. 2587.72 crore          Nil                                                                      Nil

2001-2002    Rs. 6913.16 crore             Rs. 3020 crore                                       Nil                          Rs. 3020 crore

2002-2003   Rs. 7960.80 crore         Rs. 2300 crore                                  Rs. 297.23 crore     Rs. 2597.23 crore

2003-2004   Rs. 9528.88  crore        Rs. 2300 crore                  Rs.  222.77 crore    Rs. 2522.77 crore

It is to be noted that the USOF was having more than Rs. 10,000 crore balance at this time. BSNL was cheated out of its due from the USOF without any justification. The latest reports have also shown that the USOF was utilized for other purposes.

Protest Demonstration against FDI hike in telecom – 08-02-2005

As per the call of the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions, protest demonstrations were held all over the country on 8th February 2005 against the increase in the FDI from 49% to 74%. The call was signed by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), O.P.Gupta (NFTE), S.Basu (BSNLEA), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), V.K.Tomar(MTNLEA), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), S.D.Sharma(BSNLWRU) and V.Subburaman(TEPU). At Delhi, the demonstration was held at Eastern Court, the offices of NTR,  after starting the march from the Statesman House, where BSNL Corporate office, was functioning at that time.

Meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 02-03-2005

Since the government was implementing anti-PSU decisions one after another, which was seriously and adversely affecting BSNL and MTNL, the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions /Associations sought for a meeting with the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh. At the initiative of Com.Basudeb Acharya, MP  & Leader of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha, the meeting took place on 2nd March 2005. A Memorandum signed by the leaders of the Unions/Associations was submitted to the Prime Minister. The Memorandum was signed by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri Convener & GS BSNLEU, O.P.Gupta, GS, NFTE, S.Basu, GS, AIBSNLEA, G.L.Jogi, SNEA(I), K.Vallinayagam GS, FNTO, V.Narayana, GS, BMS, V.K.Tomar, GS, MTNLEA, S.D.Sharma, BSNLWRU, V.Subburaaman, GS, TEPU, Vrijesh Upadhyaya, GS MTNLMS, K.M.Pillai, GS MTNLSW, Umesh Thyagi, GS MTNL KVS, Sathish Kumar, GS MTNL WU and Devender Singh, GS MTNLOA. Almost all the unions in BSNL/MTNL were represented in the delegation. Com.Neelotpal Basu, M.P., a telecom expert who was also present, helped in presenting our case.

At the outset, the delegation thanked the Prime Minister for the decision of the Cabinet which reiterated its earlier decision to pay government pension to BSNL employees and also pension contribution by BSNL as per FR and SR. The delegation was informed about the cabinet decision to this effect that was taken three weeks back and was being implemented.

The delegation conveyed to the Prime Minister that the decision of the government to hike FDI from 49% to 74% in telecom would be detrimental to the security of the nation as well as to the interests of BSNL & MTNL.  Prime Minister replied that the government had taken sufficient steps to safeguard the security issue. As regards BSNL & MTNL, he stated that they were capable of competing with MNCs and assured that the government would provide all help to the PSUs in this regard.

The PM’s attention was drawn to the decision of the TRAI to reduce the ADC, which was a compensation for BSNL and MTNL, for providing land line services below cost. JF wanted that it should continue. The Prime Minister was also told that an amount of Rs. 5,000 crore, due to BSNL from the USO Fund, had not yet been transferred to it. It was also pointed out how the funds of BSNL and MTNL were being drained out by way of outsourcing works.

It is worth mentioning that for the first time, the representatives of the unions/associations in BSNL/MTNL together have met the Prime Minister. The PM, even while the Parliament session was going on, was kind enough to spare some time to meet the JF delegation and to have a patient hearing. ( to be continued)

”One Day, One Employee, One Subscriber’

05 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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‘One Day, One Employee, One Subscriber’

BSNL have 2,25,000 employees at present, including the ITS, Executives and non-executives. This is not a small number. They are working out-door as well as indoor. But one thing is similar to all – that they are employees who get monthly salary from BSNL for the work they are performing. Their future is completely intertwined with the existence and growth of BSNL. Now what can be done by all of them ? Of course, they have to do their duty sincerely and with dedication.

But some thing more than can be done. If all these officers and workers, from CMD BSNL to the RM/TM, each can meet one subscriber  one day and find out his difficulties or requirements as well as suggestions how to improve the service. Within a few months there will be a great change in the minds of the subscribers about BSNL and its employees. Whatever the suggestions, requirements, complaints etc. have to be dealt with urgently.

On the one hand,the employees will understand the mindset of the subscribers. Secondly, the subscribers will have faith in BSNL and will also know that employees are there to serve them effectively.

‘‘One Day, One Employee, One Subscriber’

 

Dr. N.M.Mohammed Ali expired

05 Friday Jun 2015

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Dr. N.M.Mohammed Ali, well known psychiatrist and writer, passed away today at Vellanad, near Thiruvanathapuram.  He was 74.

Dr. Mohammed Ali was also a leader of the service associations. While in Calicut, I had the opportunity to meet him several times and discuss about organisational matters and struggles. He was a dedicated doctor, much  liked by the patients and staff. His death is a great loss.

I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

 

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) orders recall of ‘Maggi Noodles’.

05 Friday Jun 2015

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Coming down heavily on Swiss giant Nestle, the central food safety regulator FSSAI on Friday ordered recall of all nine approved variants of Maggi instant noodles from the market, terming them “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also said Nestle launched ‘Maggi Oats Masala Noodles’ without approval and ordered its recall, saying the company did not undertake risk and safety assessment for the product.

“Withdraw and recall all the nine approved variants of its Maggi Instant Noodles from the market having been found unsafe and hazardous for human consumption, and stop further production, processing, import, distribution and sale of the said product with immediate effect,” the FSSAI order said.

The FSSAI also said that Nestle violated labelling regulations on taste enhancer ‘MSG’ and ordered company to submit compliance report on its orders within three days.

“Withdraw and recall the food product, ‘Maggie Oats Masala Noodles with Tastemaker’ for which risk safety assessment has not been undertaken and product approval has not been granted,” the order said.(PTI)

 

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 2 )

05 Friday Jun 2015

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Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL  (2004 – 2015)

The BSNL employees as per the call of  the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives have gone on a complete Two Days Strike on 21-22 April 2015 demanding Revival of BSNL and for strengthening BSNL and for providing a better service to the customers. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives (earlier called the Joint Forum/Joint Action Committee of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations) has been continuously taking up the issues connected with the growth of BSNL and major issues facing BSNL workers and had organised several struggles including Strikes. It will only be appropriate at this stage to go to the background how the unions/associations in BSNL came together to fight for BSNL and defended BSNL.

Formation of BSNL on 01-10-2000

The employees in the Department of Telecom were completely against corporatisation of telecom services.  Despite sustained struggles/strikes by employees , the government ordered corporatization and formed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on 01-10-2000, with the assurance of government pension to the BSNL absorbed employees from the consolidated fund of India, Regularization of left out casual labour / TSM, Adequate financial assistance to BSNL etc.

Formation of Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions and Associations.

Within a short time, it became clear that corporatisation of BSNL was the first step towards its privatisation. The government wanted retrenchment of workers through Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), disinvestment, unbundling of copper cables etc. in preparation to privatization. BSNL was not being allowed to procure the required equipment for providing a better service and expansion of services.

A joint effort by all the unions and associations was required to fight against these attacks on BSNL. As soon as BSNL Employees Union got recognition in 2004 after the Second Membership Verification, it took the initiative to form a co-ordination committee of all unions/associations in BSNL and MTNL. Accordingly the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations was formed in 2004 with Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, as Convener. Thus started the process of   a joint union movement and struggles in BSNL.

Massive March to the Communications Minister and Rally against Reduction of ADC on 21st December 2004.

The recommendation of the TRAI to reduce the Access Deficit Charge (ADC) to be collected from the private operators and paid to BSNL was  clearly to favour the private companies. The Joint Forum BSNL/MTNL strongly opposed the move and  organized a huge March to the Communications Minister’s office on 21st December 2004. More than 2,500 workers participated. From the BSNL Corporate Office alone, about 250 workers participated. The March was blocked by the police on the Parliament Street, where a rally was held. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi(SNEA(I), V.K.Tomar(MTNLEA), K.M.Pillai(MTNLSWU) and other leaders addressed. A Memorandum on the demands was presented to the Prime Minister, not to reduce the ADC and to transfer the TRAI Chairman, Pradeep Baijal, who was openly favouring the private operators and trying to destabilize BSNL and MTNL. The Joint Forum leaders met CMD BSNL, Shri A.K.Sinha and other Directors and urged to pressurize DOT and Government to withdraw from the move  to reduce ADC.

Meet the Customers, solve their problems; It is the best way to save BSNL.

04 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The support of the people is necessary for the success of any common cause. Here it is to save BSNL. Meet each and every subscriber, find out his problems, solve it.

The Customer will support in your efforts to revive BSNL. It is the way to success.

UK Tata Steel Employees to go on Strike against scrapping of Pension Scheme

04 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by in TU News - International

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The four  Trade unions – Community, Unite, GMB and UCATT – will meet next week on Monday to decide on the “strike action” on Tata Steel’s proposal to scrap the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS).

“The National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee (which brings together Community, Unite, GMB and UCATT unions) will meet early next week to determine the next stage of action,” a Community spokesperson told PTI.  (Courtesy : ET)

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2014 – (1)

04 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by in SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN

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A small book on “The Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL” authored and published by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri,  founder Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations of Non-Executives and Non-Executives, was released by the President Forum Com.C.Singh, GS NFTE, by handing over the same to Com. P.Abhimanyu, present Convener, Forum and GS BSNLEU.  The functioning of the Joint Forum/Joint Action Committee/Forum during the period 2004 to 2015 and the struggles and programmes organised including the developments taken place  are all noted in detail in the book.

When the Forum and the BSNL Management is making  all out efforts to Save BSNL and restore it to its past glory by improving the services and making it financially viable,  the struggles and sacrifices made by the workers in the past to SAVE  and DEFEND BSNL will certainly inspire the workers. Hence it is proposed to post the contents of the book in a serial manner, every day in this blog, so that interested comrades and well wishers can read it.

As the first installment,  the preface of the book is posted today.

Preface

BSNL, the telecom PSU, completely owned by Government of India has been facing a difficult situation for the past few years. When BSNL was formed as a corporation from a government department, despite strong opposition from the employees, the government had assured that it will provide all support to the new entity and pension of the retired employees will be paid by Government. The real intention of the corporatisation was to privatise it later, as has been in the case of VSNL.

Very well knowing that BSNL will face attacks from the aggressive implementation of the neo-liberal policy and pressure from the MNCs and corporates, employees have from the start prepared themselves to save BSNL and strengthen it. The Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations was formed which was followed by Joint Forum of  BSNL Unions/Associations which was later renamed to Joint Action Committee and  Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives. Sustained struggles were organised to save BSNL and defend the rights of the workers. Being the Convener of all these organisations from the start till now, and when I have relinquished the post and handed over to the younger generation, I feel it my responsibility to present a brief history of the events that took place from 2004 till now, May 2015.

The Forum has been able to bring all the unions/associations under its umbrella and had organised historic strikes and struggles, which compelled the government to cancel its decisions to disinvest and privatise BSNL, Retrench lakhs of workers through VRS, unbundle the valuable cables of BSNL, deny the pension revision of retired employees and so on. It has been a unifying force of the workers.

At this juncture, I convey my thanks and appreciation to all the leaders and workers of the unions/associations of executives and non-executives in BSNL, who co-ordinated and contributed in making the Forum an invincible weapon to defend BSNL and its workers. I am sure that the Forum will continue to fulfill its great responsibilities in the future also.

V.A.N.Namboodiri, 25th May 2015.

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