Category Archives: BSNLCCWF – Casual and Contract workers

Meeting on Casual / Contract labour issues

25 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

During the last week and this week, I met two senior officers in the BSNL Corporate Office and discussed in detail about the issues of the casual and contract labour.

I met Shri R.K.Goyal, GM(Estt.) and discussed with him on the issues of regularisation of the left-out casual labour. As per the answer given in the Parliament by the Minister, there are 3348 left out casual labour. In addition there are some more in certain states whose name has not been forwarded to the corporate office. Most of these casual labour, especially in W.Bengal where there are 2270 casual labour, are being paid the minimum of the CDA scale instead of the IDA scale. This is already unduly delayed. I told the GM that these houd be done without any further delay.

Secondly, all the existing and left out TSM and casual labour are to be regularised as has been done in the central services as also in the PSUs, despite the judgement in the Umadevi case. Already the workers have suffered a lot. Justice should be given to them.

Thirdly, I demanded that in the ensuing examination for promotion to TM, all the casual labour having the requisite qualification should be allowed to appear so that they can get promotion.

GM(Estt.) explained the position taken by the management on the above issues, which means nothing could be done immediately. We are continuing to take up the matter for getting favourable results.

Yesterday, I discussed with Shri A.K.Sanghi, GM(Admn) about the issues of the contract workers.It was brought to his notice about the non-implementation of the social security measures like EPF, ESI etc. and also non-payment of the minimum wage stipulated by the government of India and the BSNL corporate office. I also brought to his notice the many agitations going on due to non-implementation of orders.He assured that he will instruct the field officers to ensure that all the orders on contract workers are got implemented.

Postal Part-time, Contingent and Contract workers on agitation.

24 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

The Postal Part-time, Contingent and Contract workers organised a Hunger Strike on 19th December 2012 in front of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi, demanding wage revision to these workers and also regularisation of services. Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE, inaugurated the Hunger Strike. More than one hundred workers participated in the hunger strike.
We extend our full support and solidarity to the agitation and demands of the Postal contingent, part-time and ontract workers. The situation is not different in BSNL or in certain other sections. We have to unitedly fight for getting justice to this exploited section of workers. regular workerw should fully support and guide the casual-contract workers in their just struggle.

Regularisation of casual workers

20 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Today I had a long discussion with the GM(Estt) regarding the regularisation of the casual workers in BSNL. Although there was an agreement with the Federations at the time of corporatisation that all left-out casual labours will be regularised, about 3348 casual labours are yet to be regularised. Out of this 2270 are in W.Bengal alone. On the plea of the judgement in Umadevi Vs. state of Karnataka, the BSNL Management is refusing the regularisation of these left-out casual labours. I pointed out that government departments like Income Tax, Customs,Central Excise etc. have regularised their casual labour with reference to the same judgement.PSUs like LIC has regularised their workers and demanded that BSNL casual labours also should be regularised immediately.
The BSNL management can not wash its hand on the plea of the SC judgement. They have to find out ways and means of regularising these left-out casual labours who are working for about 20 years with low wages and in difficult circumstances. The union will continue the struggle for regularisation.

Casual, Contract Workers March to GM Office on 12th December

09 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

As per the decision of the Central Executive Committee of BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation held at Hazaribag on 3rd November 2012, Casual and Contract workers all over India will march to the GM offices on 12th December 2012 demanding the settlement of the following demands:

1. Regularisation of left out Casual Workers.

2. Payment of wages of casual and contract workers on IDA scale

3. Implementation of Govt and BSNL orders on minimum wage

4. Implementation of govt. and BSNL orders on EPF and ESI

5. No retrenchment and victimisation of casual, contract workers.

Though these are the demands of the casual, contract workers, they alone will not be able to get these demands, since they are not well organised. It is only with the help of the regular employees, both non-executives and executives that they will be able to make the BSNL management to implement the orders on minimum wage etc. This inhuman exploitation of the casual, contract labour in BSNL has to be put an end to and justice meted out to these toiling workers. District / Circle Secretaries of BSNL Employees Union and other sister organisations are requested to give all solidarity and support to this fully justified struggle.

Contract Labour Should Get Justice

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

In a recent labour conference Mallikarjun Kharge, union Labour Minister said that “ the huge difference of wages between the regular workers and the contract workers lead to cause of unrest”. He stated that as per Contract labour Act and other notifications, the temporary workers should get wages and social security measures equal to the regular worker for the same kind of work performed. But these are mostly not implemented in the country.  In such a situation, the Minister stated, that the government is proposing to amend the Contract Labour Act to safeguard the interest of the workers.

It is also understood that in addition to the Contract Labour Act, the central government is also considering amendments to the Minimum Wages Act, Employees Provident Fund Act, Factories Act etc.  While the Labour Minister states that these are being considered for modification to ensure better wage and working conditions, the workers and their trade unions will have to be doubly and intensely watch each and every step of the government. The government is under heavy pressure from the MNCs and Indian big business to reform the labor laws so that they can maximise profits by paying the workers less.

The Labour Acts can be amended, but it should be for the benefit of the workers and not to the benefit of the employers by further exploiting the workers.

Organise GM Office March on 12th December – BSNLCCWF

29 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

The Central Executive Committee of BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation held at Hazaribagh on 3rd November 2012 has given call to organise March to GM Offices on 12th December 2012 all over the country demanding settlement of the long pending issues of the casual and contract workers in BSNL like Regularisation of Casual Labour and TSM, Wages on IDA basis to casual labour, Minimum Wage to Contract Workers, Implementation of Social Security Measures etc. Despite clear orders by Government and Corporate Management on many of these issues, all are more violated than implemented at the field level. The workers are inhumanly exploited and their rights denied. BSNL Management refuses regularisation on flimsy pleas. The CEC of BSNLCCWF, considering all these has decided to resort to agitational programmes.

The first programme is the March to GM’s Office on 12th December. In January 2013, March to CGM’s office will be organised, the date for which will be decided by the Circle Union.

BSNL Employees union has fully supported and extended solidarity to the programme. The March is to be organised in consultation with BSNLEU at the field level.

Struggle for Unity, Unity for Struggle and Unity and Struggle for progress!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Session of BSNLCCWF at Hazaribag

04 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

In continuation of the CEC meeting at Hazaribag, a massively attended open session was held on 4th November 2012. More than 400 comrades participated from all parts of Jharkhand, but mainly from the Dhanbad, Hazaribag area. The comrades have come even from about 200 kms away. The Open session was held in the conference hall of the Jain Dharmasala.

Com. Naresh Lal Circle Secretary, BSNLEU presided over the function. Com. Santhosh Kumar Puri welcomed the gathering. Com. K.R.Yadav, All India Vice-President, Santhosh Kumar, AGS, CCWF, Sudershan Singh DS BSNLEU Dhanbad, Ambika Prasad, DS Hazaribagh, A.K.Sharama, DS Ranchi, Krishna Singh ADS Jamshedpur,SinghYadav, DS BSNLCCWF Ranchi, Sharma, DS, Daltonganj, Bhola Mandal, DS, CCWF Hazaribagh, Munna prasad, ADS, Ranchi and other leaders spoke.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF in his speech spoke about the main demands of the casual and contract workers and the efforts and agitations organised to achieve the same. He assured the house that the CHQ will untirely work for the settlement of the demands. He also briefed the house about the deliberations and the decisions taken yesterday.

The Open Session ended at about 1500 hours amidst shouting of slogans on the demands and the working class unity.

CEC Meeting of Casual and Contract Workers Federation at Hazaribad

04 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

The Central Executive Committee meeting of BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation  held at Hazaribag, Jharkhand on 3-4 November 2012, has decided to go on agitational programmes to achieve the important demands of the workers. It has also decided to participate in the two days strike sponsored by the 11Central Trade Unions including CITU, AITUC, INTUC, BMS, HMS etc.

The Inaugural Session started  at 1100 hours on 3rd November, in the Jain Dharmasala in Hazaribag. Com. Naresh Lal, Circle secretary, BSNLEU, Jharkhand presided. A large number of workers including regular employees participated. Com. B.Narayan, Reception Committee Chairman and also All India Vice-President of BSNLEU welcomed all the participants. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President  BSNLEU & BSNLCCWF inaugurated the CEC. In his speech he strongly opposed the anti-worker, anti-people policies of the government causing more and more miseries on the people and workers. The neo-liberal policies which benefits the rich and is completely against the interests of the poor has to be opposed and defeated. The UPA-II government has become completely corrupt. BSNLEU and other unions are making all efforts to make BSNL financially viable and also to provide better service to the people. The trade union movement in the country has called upon the workers to unitedly fight against the neo-liberal policies of the government resulting in spiralling price hike, high level corruption, anti-worker policies etc. We should join the agitational programme chalked out by the Central trade unions, including in the strike on 20-21 February 2013. He also called upon the entire workers in BSNL to give support and solidarity for achieving the just demands of the  more than one lakh casual and contract workers. Com. Sudama Pal, Circle secretary BSNLCCWF, Jharkhand and Secretary Reception Committee, proposed vote of thanks.

The CEC meeting was presided by Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President BSNLCCWF. Com. Tapas Ghosh Secretary General welcomed all. He presented the Report on Activities since the last AIC at Lucknow till now. Com. Tapos Banerjee, treasurer presented the Accounts. Both were adopted unanimously after discussion. Coms. Animesh Mitra, Dy. General Secretary, BSNLEU & Vice-President BSNLCCWF, K.R.Yadav, All India Vice-President of both BSNLEU & BSNLCCWF,  Naresh Lal, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Jharkhand and other leaders greeted the CEC meeting and explained the various demands of the Casual and Contract workers and called upon the workers to strengthen the organisation.

Serious discussion took place with regard to organisational mattes as also on the demands of the casual and contract workers. Coms. Sahdev Biswal, Circle Secretary, BSNLCCWF, Odisha Circle, Sudama Pal, Circle secretary Jharkhand, S.P.Tiwari, Circle Secretary, UP(E) circle, M.L.Patel, President, M.P.Circle, Santhosh Kumar, AGS, Om Prakash, Circle Secretary, Chhattisgarh, Akhilesh Banerjee, Circle Secretary, W.Bengal, Sankar Malakha, Circle Secretary, NE-!, Darshan Singh, Circle secretary, Punjab, Vikas Barua, Circle Secretary, Assam,Manoj Patel, DS, Dhanbad, Santhosh Kumar Puri, DS, Hazaribag, Birbal Prasad and other Participants addressed the houe and explained the conditions in their circles.

After detailed discussion the following decisions were taken by the CEC:

  1. On the main demands of the casual- contract workers a memorandum will be prepared and the same will be submitted at district/SSA levels on 12th December 2012 to all GMs and District Labour Commissioner/Regional Labour Commissioner/Asst.Labour Commissioner organising March with maximum participation.
  2. A March to CGM, BSNL will be organised in January 2013 on the above demands, the date for which will be decided by the Circle Union. A detailed Memorandum will be submitted to the CGM.
  3. The BSNL CCWF called upon all the casual and contract workers to participate in the 2days strike on 20-21 February 2012, callle by the Central trade Unions against price-rise, against disinvestment of PSUs, on issues of contract workers etc.
  4. The invitation for holding the next CEC meeting by Circle Secretary, Odish circle was accepted with thanks by the CEC. It is to be held by May 2013.
  5. Regular subscription should be collected from members and quota remitted to the Circle and CHQ regularly.
  6. The CHQ BSNLCCWF will publish a pamphlet both in Hindi and English for wide circulation.
  7. It was decided to start a website for the BSNLCCWF.

The subjects committee  will continue  tomorrow, 4th November 2012.

 

Central Executive Committee of BSNL CCWF at Dhanbad

01 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

The first Central Executive Committee of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation after the Lucknow AIC, is scheduled to be held at Dhanbad on 3rd November 2012. The period after the last AIC was tumultuous with continuous struggles in many SSAs against exploitation and minimum wages. Gains have been achieved in many centres and in some centres, victimisation and retrenchment has taken place. All this have to be reviewed and strategy and correct decisions taken in the CEC.

The Demands day organised by the BSNLEU on 1st November has enthused the Casual Contract workers and the struggles will be intensified with the solidarity and support of the regular employees.

Demands Day organised on Casual-Contract Labour Demands

01 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

It is heartening news that the regular employees have taken the issue of the casual and contract workers and organised action programmes on their behalf. As per the call of the Ludhiana Conference of BSNLEU, the BSNL workers all over the country organised demonstrations and sent telegrams to the Prime Minister, Communications minister, Labour minister, secretary, DOT and CMD BSNL demanding settlement of the casual contract labour issues like, payment of minimum wage, implementation of social security measures, regularisation etc. In the Eastern Court in Delhi also a massive demonstration took place which was addressed by the All India leaders.

This effort should be continued with all our strength to ensure that these workers get justice and the exploitation is put an end to.