Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Shining Example of Cuba on Medical Help for Ebola Treatment

06 Saturday Dec 2014

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Socialist Cuba is a small island nation with 1.1 crore population, which is under economic blockade by the US and other imperialist countries for the last five decades or more putting it under great pressure.

But it is the country which has been in the forefront of helping the West Africa, affected by the fatal Ebola disease. There are already 256 doctors and nurses and another 200 volunteers are already on the way. One of the Cuban doctors has contracted  Ebola. This is the biggest contingent of medical team from any country to reach and treat Ebola patients. Even, Cuba’s arch rival, US, has to appreciate the medical work being done by Cuba in W.Africa.

This is not the first time that Cuba has been helping patients in other countries. Whether it is the Haiti earthquake or the Kashmir earthquake in 2005, it was Cuba, which sent thousands of medical workers to help. It is stated that there are about 50,000 Cuban doctors and nurses working in 60 developing countries.

It is accepted by all that the best health care and system is in Cuba. I had the chance to visit a Medical College Hospital  in Cuba, when I visited the country to attend the Congress of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in 2005. The arrangements and systems there were excellent. The Doctors explained in detail about these. We were also told that a large number of students from nearby countries are studying in the Medical College with out paying any fees. The only condition is that after returning to their own countries, they have to serve in the villages/ rural areas.

We have to congratulate and appreciate the Socialist Cuba and its government for their excellent service to  the humanity. (With input from article in Hindu dated 06-12-2014 by Seumas Milne)

Modi invites World Bank for Advice on Business Regulations

06 Saturday Dec 2014

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested World Bank to advise on business friendly regulatory frame work and a team has already arrived in India. The World bank advice, no doubt, will be to give all favours and benefits to the corporates and MNCs.

The Cabinet in this week has cleared 14 amendments to the Companies Act favouring the corporates. It is a good time for the corporates to maximise their profits.

At the same time, the allotment for the MGNREGA  has been reduced. Other subsidies are also being curtailed.

Subsidy for the rich and austerity for the poor seems to be the motto of Modi Government.  this trend will be disastrous for the country.

Indefinite Strike of BSNL Workers postponed to 17th March 2015

06 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Telecom

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The Forum Meeting held on 5th December 2014 has decided to postpone the Parliament March from 19th December 2014 to 25th February 2015 and the Indefinite Strike from 3rd February to 17th March 2015.

The changes have been made in order to effectively organise massive campaign among the public and to collect more than one crore signatures to the Memorandum to be submitted to the Prime Minister on the day of the Parliament March.

SAIL Disinvestment gets Rs. 1,715 crore; But by LIC and Banks

06 Saturday Dec 2014

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The government may get about Rs. 1,715 crore from the sale of shares of SAIL. But the interesting factor is that the shares are purchased mainly by the LIC, SBI and Public Sector Banks.

This is, nothing but diverting  the funds of  Public Sector companies to purchase shares of another PSU.

BSNL Workers Indefinite Strike Postponed to 17 March 2015

05 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in Forum, PSU, Telecom

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Decisions of the Forum Meeting held on 5th December 2015

The meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives held on 5th December 2014 has taken the following decisions after detailed discussion with regard to the proposed Indefinite Strike, Parliament March, Campaign etc. on the agitation for Revival of BSNL:

  1. The meeting finalized the Memorandum to the Prime Minister and the Circular to be issued.
  2. The earlier decision to organise March to Parliament is postponed from 19th December 2014 to 25th February 2015.
  3. The Indefinite Strike will be organised from 17th March 2015, instead of from 3rd February 2015 as decided earlier.
  4. State level conventions to be held in January and February 2015 in preparation for the  Indefinite strike and also massive campaign.
  5. At least one crore signature to be collected to the Memorandum to be submitted to the Prime Minister on the day of the March to Parliament. For this purpose quota will be given to the circles @ 50 times of the number of staff in the circle.
  6. Memorandum and Posters to be prepared in English and Hindi.
  7. The next meeting of the Forum will be held at 03.00 PM on 19th December 2014.

 

V.A.N.Namboodiri                                                                                                          05-12-2014

Convener, Forum

Demolition of Babri Masjid – The Black Deed completes 22 years

05 Friday Dec 2014

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6th December 1992 was one of the worst days in the history of our country. It was on that day that the RSS Karsevaks demolished the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya violating all laws of the country and also dividing the communities creating tension and unprecedented reactions.

That day was a black day for the country. On this 22nd anniversary of the day, let all of us pledge to ensure that such black deeds are opposed and defeated and communal harmony is maintained.

National Protest Day observed on 5th December 2014.

05 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in Neo-liberal policy, TU News - India

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The National Protest Day called for by the 11 Central Trade Unions was organised all over the country jointly by all the trade unions/associations/unions. Meetings and Rallies were organised with massive participation.

In the national capital, Delhi, it was a mighty rally of the workers participated by thousands, though the same was limited to Delhi area alone. The colourful flags and banners of the central unions and the independent federations were fluttering all over the rally place, Jantar Mantar.

All India leaders of all the central trade unions were seated in the dais, temporarily arranged. The Presidents of the Unions presided over the function and the General Secretaries or their representatives addressed. Vrijesh Upadhyay GS BMS, Gurudas Dasgupta, GS AITUC, Tapan Sen GS CITU and other leaders addressed. (contd..)

Meeting with CMD BSNL on Casual and Contract Workers’ issues

05 Friday Dec 2014

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Meeting with CMD BSNL on Casual and Contract Workers’ issues

Com.VAN Namboodiri, President, BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation (BSNLCCWF) met Shri A.N.Rai, CMD BSNL on 4th December 2014 and discussed the following issues:

  1. Implementation of EPF for Casual labour from 2000: At present the EPF is implemented for the casual labours w.e.f. 2011. The Federation had represented to the BSNL Management as also the Chief EPF Commissioner for getting it implemented from 2000. CMD stated that the same has been approved by the Managing Committee and will be placed before the BSNL Board which is meeting on 9th December 2014.
  2. BSNL wages for TSM/Casual labour: CMD stated that the demand of the Federation for the BSNL wages, instead of the government wages, is under consideration. But he stated that it will incur much expenditure.Com. Namboodiri insisted that justice be done to these low paid workers.
  3. Implementation of Minimum Wage, EPF and ESI: Com. Namboodiri pointed out the all India situation about the non-payment of minimum wage, EPF and ESI and demanded implementation of the same urgently. With particular reference to UP (East Circle), he furnished the documents regarding the payments, which are not even one third of the minimum wage and no EPF/ESI. He requested urgent remedial action. Workers are paid only about Rs.1000-2000, whereas they are eligible for about Rs.6,600. CMD looked into the details and assured that instruction will be given for correct payment. The Federation also requested the CMD to blacklist those contractors who are not implementing the labour laws.
  4. Reinstatement of retrenched contract workers in UP, Jharkhand etc.: The victimisation of leaders and workers of BSNLCCWF in Jamshedpur, Hazaribag etc. in Jharkhand and other places were brought to the notice of the CMD and requested for their re-engagement. He stated that these will be looked into.

Meeting with GM (Estt.)

Com. VAN Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, met  Shri  R.K.Goyal, GM(Estt.) and discussed about the regularisation of the left out TSM/casual workers. He stated in view of the matter being discussed in the Parliamentary Standing Committee, the matter has again been referred to the Attorney General for his advice with reference to the Supreme Court Judgment in the Umadevi case. The advice is expected shortly.

 

Post Bank Of India ?

05 Friday Dec 2014

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The Task Force, headed by former Cabinet Secretary, TSR Subramanian and including the Secretary Posts, Secretary Telecom and a few other top administrators has recommended for setting up of a Post Bank of India (PBI), wholly owned by the Department of Posts. It will attend to e-commerce, insurance, delivery of various government services  including Adhar, ration cards, Kisan Vikas Patra etc. as also banking.

the proposal is with the government. Earlier, the Reserve Bank of India had rejected the application of DoP for Bank Licence.

Participate in the National Protest Day on 5th December 2014

05 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in Neo-liberal policy, Price Rise, PSU, TU News - India

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Crores of workers all over the country is observing today, 5th December 2014, as National Protest Day as per the call of the 11 Central Trade Unions and the independent Federations of Central, State, Public and Private Sector trade unions. The workers are protesting against the anti-worker, anti-people policies of the government and focusing the 10 point demands raised by them, including putting a stop to the spiraling prices of essential commodities, a minimum wage of Rs. 15,000 to contract workers and No to disinvestment and privatisation.

Demonstrations and Rallies will be held in all centers jointly by the trade unions. In Delhi, the rally will be held at Jantar Mantar which will be addressed by central trade union leaders.

This is a warning to the central government which is trying to curtail the hard earned rights of the workers and moving fast to sell the family silver of the people to the corporates and the MNCs.

Let us all participate in the programme and make the National Protest Day a big success!