A book on the issues of the casual and contract labour in BSNL with the relevant orders of the government and BSNL managment has been published by the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation(BSNLCCWF). It is priced Rs.25/- Those who want the book may sent Rs. 55/- if to be sent by Regd. Book Post and Rs. 40/- if to be sent by ordinary Book Post. The amount be sent to Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, D-7, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110001 by M.O. with correct and full address with PIN code.

I met the Director (HR) today and demanded that the orders of the government and the BSNL Corporate office on wages, social security measures etc. to Casual/contract labour are got implemented by the field officers. Dir(HR) assured that these will be implemented.

Today, along with Com. Tapan Sen, MP General Secretary of CITU, I met Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister of Labour and Employment and presented a detailed memorandum on the major issues of the casual and contract workers. The regularisation of the left out casual labour and TSM, grant of TSM to the eligible Casual labour, wages of the casual and contract labour, implementation of social security measures like EPF and ESI, victimisation and retrenchment of labour etc. were discussed in detail for about half-hour.

He was sympathetic and assured to look in to the matters. MY thanks to Com. Tapan Sen for arranging the meeting and presenting the matter with the MInister effectively. Copy of th memorandum will be put on the BSNLEU website bsnleuchq.com

ITS, Executives and Non-Executives – all are well organised in BSNL under the banner of their unions/associations. Many struggles and agitations have been conducted jointly and separately and many new demands achieved. Struggles are going on for further settlements.

But what about the thousands of casual and contract workers engaged in BSNL? Leave alone new demands, whether they are getting the minimum wages as per the government of India Acts/Orders for the hard work they are doing? Is Provident Fund Account opened for them as per rules? Are their names in the register of the contractor or the BSNL? Are they getting weekly off with wages as per rules? Are the casual labour being regularised as per rules? NO. In 90% places, the casual/ contract workers are denied all these which are eligible to them as per government rules and regulations. Approximately only half of the eligible wages are paid to them. No social security measures for them. They are being exploited without any limit. Remember, BSNL is a Public Sector Company which should implement the government /PSU rules and can not be a party to this inhuman exploitation.

Let the management and the employees in BSNL not ignore this violation of rules and regulations. Let them be not inhuman towards the plight of the casual and contract workers who are toiling through out the year for the company. It is the duty of the management and the workers to ensure that the casual-contract workers are treated humanly, their full wages are paid and eligible benefits are given to them. The wrong being committed should be corrected. Injustice has to end. Let us make a joint effort.

In a reply to a question in the Parliament raised by Com. Prasanta Chatterjee, M.P., Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge has stated that according to the study conducted by V.V.Giri National Labour Institute, there are 14 lakh contract workers in the Central sphere and 46 lakhs in state sphere. There may be five times more contract labour in the country who are not even covered by the  Contract labour act.

The Minister also stated that there are about 39066 contractors based on 2010 – 2011 figures.

Though it is completely banned to engage contract labour in perennial jobs, it is exactly what BSNL is also doing.  Though the full figure is not available. it is estimated that about one lakh contract workers are engaged in BSNL.

Justice should be given to these workers.

When this is being posted the Circle Conference of Kerala Casual Contract Labour Union is being held. Serious discussion about the issues of the workers as also for strengthening the organisation are going on. Most of the comrades have suggested that serious agitational programmes should be organised to settle urgent issues.

The conference is expected to take important decisions for agitation to get the demands achieved. Coms. VAN Namboodiri All India President and K.Mohanan,Circle Working Chairman are fully attending the session.

The book on ‘Casual and Contract Labour’ written by  Com. VAN Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, was released today, 29th April bo Com.K.N.Ravindranath, veteran trade union leader and President, CITU Kerala State Committee,by handing over the first copy to Com.K.N.Mohanan, Circle Secretary BSNLEU Kerala and the Working Chairman of BSNL Casual and Contract Labour Union of Kerala. Com. Ravindranath congratulated the BSNLCCWF for the book and suggested that the book should be translated in to Malayalam so that more workers can utilise for educating the workers. We feel that a Hindi translation can also me published.

Com.ahendra Kumar Roy, Member of Parliament has written to Shri Hemanabd Biswal, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour expressing concern at the unusual delay in regularising the 2270 casual labour in W.Bengal and demanding early regularisation. Com. Roy has also raised certain questions in the Committee on this and other issues of the casual and contract workers in BSNL. Our thanks to Co. Roy.

The second Circle Conference of BSNL Casual and Contract Labour Union ( affiliated to BSNLCCWF) started with Flag Hoisting by Com. P.Rajendran, ex-M.P. and Circle President of the union. After paying homage to the martyrs, the Inaugural session started at the Marthoma Youth Centre, Adoor.

Com. P.Rajendran presided. The Conference was inaugurated by Com. K.N.Ravindranth, President, CITU Kerala. In his address he called upon the workers unite and organise the workers and continue their struggle. Many leaders of various organisations including KG Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA greeted the Conference.

The Delegates session was inaugurated by Com. VAN Namboodiri, President BSNLCCWF. Working Chairman Com. N.Mohanan presided. Com.K.Chandran Pillai, CITU took a class on the labour laws and other rights of the casual contract workers. Com. Kuriakose, Circle President, BSNLEU also spoke. Com. N.R.Somasekharan nair, Circle Secretary presented the report. The conference will continue  on 30^th April.

Today I made an effort to meet the Labour Minister to present the issues of the casual and contract labour, but could not meet. However, I went to the Minister’s office and submitted a detailed letter rquesting his intervention in the matter. It is hoped that a meeting will be arranged by next  week.