Victory for BSNLCCWF Chhattisgarh – Rs.2.79 crore paid towards EPF by BSNL Management.

The EPF Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi in it’s order dated 20.10.2016 has dismissed the appeal filed by CGM, Chhattisgarh circle against the decision of the Assistant Provident Commissioner, Chhattisgarh directing the CGM BSNL to remit Rs.2,79,19,404 towards EPF contribution of contract workers. The order will benefit the Contract Workers.

The apathy of the BSNL Circle Management can be understood from the fact that out of total 84 hearings since 2005 by Assistant Provident Commissioner, Raipur, only very few hearings were attended by BSNL representatives.

Our Hearty Congratulations for the victory of Chhattisgarh BSNL CCWF & BSNLEU  Comrades

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF met Shri A.M.Gupta, GM(Restructuring) today, 18-10-2016, and discussed about the non-implementation of the labour laws in many circles. GM(Restg)  assured that he is monitoring the various circles in this respect and will ensure that the labour laws are got implemented.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF  met Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL today, 18th October 2016, and pointed out the extreme pitiable condition of the casual and contract workers in UP(East) Circle, where none of the labour laws and CMD orders with regards the Minimum Wages, EPF, ESI etc. are implemented despite many representation. He also handed over the hundreds of Post Cards / letters sent by individual casual contract workers from UP(East), which exposed the statement of the UP(East) management that all orders are being implemented. CMD assured that suitable actions, including cancellation of licence of the licences of the contractors will be done, if the labour laws and corporate office instructions are not implemented.

Com.Namboodiri handed over the new VDA orders dated 30-09-2016 and the Gazette Notification proposing increase of the daily wages to Rs. 350 for the unskilled at C Class cities and other rates at semi-skilled/skilled and for A,/B class cities. The final orders are expected to be issued by the CLC by first November. Com.Namboodiri requested that the orders when issued may be implemented with out any delay.

It has been reported that the Winter Session of the Parliament will start from 16th November and will continue till 16th December 2016.

As usual, it will be a time of protests by various sections of people to focus the attention of the government to their plights. Confederation of Central Government Employees has already called for a Parliament march in November. BSNLCCWF will be organising a Parliament March in November to focus their issues, the date for which will be finalised in the meeting of the Secretariat to be held on 26th October 2016.

As per government of India Orders and labour laws, TSM/Casual Labour and Contract Worker are eligible for payment of Gratuity. The issue was brought before the Parliament Standing Committee and the Management several times. After much persuasion, the Management Committee approved gratuity for TSM/Casual labours, but the BSNL Board is yet to approve the same. In this connection Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President and Com.Animesh Mitra, Secretary General BSNLCCWF had met the Management and demanded for early discussion. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri met Shri N.Sivasailam, Additional Secretary DOT who is the DOT member in the BSNL Board and discussed the issue demanding for early decision. The issue is being pursued vigorously.