Category Archives: CG Employees

Central Trade Unions, Independent Federations and Associations organise Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020

28 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in CG Employees, CITU, CTU

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Central Trade Unions, independent Federations and Associations have decided to organise Protest Day on 3rd July 2020. Extract of the statment given below:

……”Hence we the Central Trade Unions, independent Federations and Associations in this background have jointly decided to observe Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020, by the workers and employees of formal & informal sector and service establishments, maintaining physical distancing and other precautions. This programme is in preparation and prelude to further united struggle of prolonged Non-Cooperation and Defiance of the anti-people, anti-national policies of the Govt and in defence of our rights and basic entitlements. Preceding the nationwide protest, to generate awareness about the changes being made in labour laws and other policy issues, the state level joint meeting/seminars/conventions may be held.

We demand upon the Government to immediately hold the long overdue Indian Labour Conference to dwell upon the 12 point Charter of Demands, the labour and trade union rights, issues of job losses, wages, job security, the migrant workers’ issues including their journey to home and return journey to those who desire to join back their work, instead of frequently meeting only the employers and corporates organisations.

We call upon the working class and trade unions of all affiliations to make the programme of Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020 a massive success throughout the country, in all workplaces and centres in preparation to countrywide united struggles of Non-Cooperation and Defiance to anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-people and anti-national policies of the Govt for at least six-months period to defend the rights of the people and save and defend the national economy. The concrete form of Non Cooperation and Defiance including nationwide general strike will be decided by the joint platform of Central Trade Unions and independent Federations and Associations at appropriate time in the next phase after the observance of the Nationwide Protest Day.” (signed by 10 Central trade Unions).

Defence Employees towards strike against proposal to corporatise Ordnance factories. Press release by AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS.

03 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in CG Employees, General, privatisation

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Defence Federation conducts Strike Ballot and 82,000 Defence Civilian Employees of 41 Ordnance Factories Will Go For an Indefinite Strike against the Decision of the Government to Convert 219 years old Indian Ordnance Factories into a Corporation / PSU

ALL INDIA DEFENCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION
INDIAN NATIONAL DEFENCE WORKERS FEDERATION
BHARTIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(RECOGNIZED FEDERATIONS OF DEFENCE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES)

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FOR FAVOUR OF PUBLICATION

82,000 Defence Civilian Employees of 41 Ordnance Factories Will Go For an Indefinite Strike against the Decision of the Government to Convert 219 years old Indian Ordnance Factories into a Corporation / PSU

The Federations oppose the decision of the government to convert Army base workshops in to GOCO model and abolition of vacancies in MES and Army Units !

Strike Ballot to be taken all over the country between 08.06.2020 to 17.06.2020

The 3 Recognised Federations (AIDEF, INDWF & BPMS) of the Trade Unions of the 82,000 Defence Civilian Employees working in the 41 Indian Ordnance Factories have taken a decision to go ahead with the preparations for an indefinite strike against the arbitrary, illegal and unjustified decision taken by the Government to corporatise the most strategic Ordnance Factories. This decision of the Government announced by the Finance Minister during the 4th Tranche of the Rs.20 lakh crore financial relief to meet the COVID-19 economic crisis under “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abiyan” is against the agreement between the recognised Federations and the Ministry of Defence in the past. Former Defence Minister late. George Fernandez, Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, Shri. A.K.Antony and late Manohar Parrikar have given written commitments that the Ordnance Factories would not be corporatised. The present decision of the Government is against all these assurances and agreements.

Apart from the above when the present Government included the subject of Corporatization of Ordnance Factories in its 100 days agenda, the Federations opposed the move of the Government and called for a one month strike which commenced on 20-8-2019. During the 5th day of the strike based on the direction given by the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) a settlement was reached with the then Secretary (DP) and present Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar wherein he has assured that no final decision has been taken by the Government with regard to Corporatization of OFB. Based on his assurance that a High Level Official Committee (HLOC) will be constituted to study the possibility of the OFB achieving Rs. 30,000 crores production target in the present setup, the Strike was deferred.

Since, there was a dispute between the Federations and the Government with regard to the terms of reference the Federations represented to the Honourable Defence Minister during October 2019 to intervene and change the terms of reference of the HLOC. However without considering the pending representation of the Federations, taking advantage of the COVID-19 lock down the Government have arbitrarily made the announcement that OFB will be Corporatised and will be listed in the Share Market

Government Decision to convert Ordnance Factories into Corporation hurts 82000 Employees
The above decision of the Government has hurt the 82,000 employees, since all these employees were engaged in manufacturing of all types of PPE’s required for the Doctors, Nurses and Para medical staff for fighting against the COVID-19 spread. They have taken risk of their life and were working throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. The Government instead of recognising their service to the Country have taken a major decision to convert this War industry as a PSU and thereafter to privatise the same.

This decision of the Government is against the Defence preparedness and National security of our country. Moreover it will overnight change the service conditions of the 82,000 employees and their status as Central Government employees which will be snatched away. In spite of our repeated representation to the Defence Minister and the Defence Production Secretary there is no positive response and hence the Federations are left with no other option than to go for an Indefinite Strike demanding the Government to withdraw its decision to Corporatize the Ordnance Factories. The date of the Commencement of the Indefinite Strike will be decided after the completion of the Strike Ballot which is scheduled between 8-6-2020 to 17-6-2020 throughout the country.

The Federations also are opposing the decision taken by the Government against other Defence Industries like MES, and EME. While 9304 vacancies in MES the Army Base Workshops under EME are being handed over to Private Sector in the name of GOCO Model. The Federations have already opposed the move and we will be separately deciding for serious Trade Union Action programme in these Defence Units also. The Federations also oppose the decision of the Government for allowing 74% FD] in Defence production.

CONFEDERATION CALLS FOR NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ON 22ND MAY AGAINST PRIVATISATION OF PSUS, AGAINST ANTI-PEOPLE MEASURES.

17 Sunday May 2020

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NATIONWIDE PROTEST DAY ON 22nd MAY 2020 AGAINST THE ANTI – WORKER AND ANTI – PEOPLE ONSLAUGHTS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

HOLD PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRONT OF ALL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

The Central Government has announced deregulation and privatisation of core and strategic sectors like Defence production, Space Research, Power, Civil aviation, Coal and mineral sectors. It is also declared by the Finance Minister that non – strategic public sector undertakings will also be privatised. Govt is implementing its political agenda by going ahead with the naked and unbridled pro – corporate reforms in all sectors of the economy utilizing the COVID -19 crisis. It is wholesale privatisation. Combined with these reforms , serious attempt is made for amending all labour laws in favour of employers. Already some state Governments had promulgated ordinances in this direction suspending all labour laws and increased the working hours from eight to twelve hours per day. The Government has cleverly linked these reforms with the 20 lakhs crore economic package announced by the Prime Minister , eventhough these reforms have nothing to do with the stimulus packages and relief measures to be provided to the agricultural and industrial sectors and common people of our country. Needless to say that these pro – corporate reform measures and labour law amendments will severely affect the life and livelihood of crores of workers and common people of our country. Central Government employees are no exception.

Regarding Defence sector , the Defence employees federations were already opposing the move of the Government to corporatise and privatise the Ordnance factories. They have conducted month – long relay dharma at Parliament street, New Delhi and five days all India strike . Government had earlier deferred the Corporatisation move due to stiff resistance from five lakhs defence employees. Knowing the present limitations of the unions to organise serious agitational programmes like strike during Covid – 19 restrictions , the Government has unilaterally declared the corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board ( OFB). Raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence sector from 49 to 74% will pave way for entry of multinational foreign Corporations in defence production sector , which , in the long run will jeopardise the national security of our country and job security of the employees.

In the coming days , more attacks are to come in almost all sectors including Central Government Employees sector. Already many departments have initiated action in this regard as per the advice of NITI Ayog. Closure of Government of India printing presses, outsourcing of Government functions in many departments , large scale contractorisation , casual labour engagement and downsizing has become the order of the day. Central Government Employees, especially Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers had organised series of struggle programmes against these onslaughts , including strike.

The Central Trade Unions have unanimously decided to combat these onslaughts of the Government by all possible means. As a first phase , it is decided to organise NATIONWIDE PROTEST DAY ON 22nd MAY 2020. Confederation being an integral part of the mainstream of the working class of .India, has endorsed the call of the Central Trade Unions.

Accordingly , the National Secretariat of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers calls upon all affiliated organisations and state/District level Coordinating Committees (COCs) to hold protest demonstrations in front of all Central Government offices , strictly observing the Covid – 19 restrictions imposed by Central and State Governments. Minimum permitted number of employees and leaders may sit in front of offices holding placards with demands , with all precautionary measures like masks , social distancing etc. Wide publicity may be given to the programme through print / electronic media and social media. (CONFEDERATION WEBSITE)

CONFEDERATION CALLS FOR OBSERVING MAY DAY 2020.

29 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, CG Employees, CITU

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OBSERVE MAY DAY
HOLDING PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS
IN FRONT OF OFFICES
AGAINST DA & DR FREEZING
———————————————-
Confederation National Secretariat calls upon the entirety of Central Government Employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks and also Central Govt. Pensioners to observe MAY DAY (01.05.2020) holding protest demonstrations in front of offices with placards against the unilateral decision of the Central Government to freeze DA & DR due from 01.01.2020 to 30.06.2021.

While conducting protest demonstrations , it should be ensured that all instructions of Central and State Governments during lock down period such as social distancing , wearing of masks , limiting the number of participants to permissible minimum (not more than the number permitted by District Collector or local police authorities) should be strictly observed . Don’t violate any COVID – 19 related precautionary measures and instructions of the District Collectors and Police.(Confederation website)

AIBDPA writes to Prime Minister on Freezing of DA to CG Employees and DR to CG Pensioners at current rates till July, 2021.

25 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, CG Employees, NCCPA

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AIBDPA/DA-PM/2020 April 25th, 2020

To,

Shri Narendra Modi Ji

Hon’ble Prime Minister,

Government of India

South Block, Raisina Hill

New Delhi – 110 001

Respected Sir,

Sub: – Freezing of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees and Dearness Relief to Central Government Pensioners at current rates till July, 2021 – reg.

Please refer to the O.M. No. 1/1/2020-EII (B) dated 23rd April, 2020 issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance in view of the crisis arising out of the pandemic Covid -19, ordering that the Dearness Relief to Central Government Pensioners will be frozen at the current rates till July, 2021.

In this connection, we on behalf of the All India BSNL – DOT Pensioners Association submit the following for your kind consideration and early necessary action.

Immediately on your appeal for donation to combat the spread of the pandemic Covid-19, the BSNL – DOT pensioners of more than two lakhs had voluntarily contributed to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund or the respective Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the best of their ability. About Rs. Fifty lakh have been donated by pensioners belonging to our association, through the association or directly, to these relief funds, including about Rs. Twenty lakhs to Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund alone. Pensioners, as you are aware, are senior Citizens mostly inflicted with several diseases and physical debilities and are presently directed by the authorities to be confined to their homes. They are prohibited to go out and are depended upon others for their daily needs. Pension being only 50% of the last drawn salary or even less, they are seldom able to make both ends meet. The condition of the family pensioners are worse.

The above cited order of the Government of India has been a bolt from the blue for many pensioners. Since they are depended upon others for all their needs, the procurement of medicines, visiting hospitals, collecting groceries etc, they have to spend more. The expenditure has become more than what it was a few months back. In fact, presently they are in dire need of extra allowances to pull on. They, along with the millions of people all over the world, want the pandemic to end and therefore, support every decision of the Government especially the restrictions imposed on their movement and donation to PM CARES Fund etc.

The decision of the Government to freeze the Dearness Relief which had become due on 1st January, 2020 is unprecedented. We earnestly feel that the country’s economy has not reached such a situation that the Government needs to curtail the meagre pension of the old people. Never in the history of the country, even when it’s very existence was threatened by external aggression or during the worst financial crisis of 1990s, had the Government resorted to confiscate the pension income of senior citizens. No doubt, our country like many other Nations of the world is fighting to wipe out the pandemic, and the Lock Down has halted all economic activities. We feel that our country’s economy is comparatively robust and is capable of facing the challenges without resort to pauperizing the pensioners. While benefit packages are extended to considerably well to-do segments in the society, the denial of the due entitlements to the pensioners is extremely painful.

From the order it is seen that the Government has not only decided to freeze the DR entitlements but would also not release the arrears even after the normalcy in the economic activities is restored.

It would, therefore, be appropriate that the pensioners are excluded from the purview of the O.M.cited above. The decision to impound the arrears of Dearness Relief till July,2021 is extremely harsh on low income pensioners and family pensioners. Impounding the Dearness Relief, in our opinion, is not legally tenable without the consent of the concerned pensioner. The Finance Ministry is well aware of the rule that the entitled pension cannot be curtailed. Whoever has advised the Government that the Dearness Relief on pension should not be construed as pension is wrong and their interpretation is not at all tenable.

The Prime Minister himself has several times mentioned about the vulnerability of the senior citizens and the need to protect them and help them by the society, which has been completely ignored by the Finance ministry, while issuing the order.

We, therefore, appeal to your kind self that, for the reasons stated by us in the preceding paragraphs, the order issued by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure cited, may be directed to be withdrawn forthwith.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary.

(from AIBDPA website)

Govt’s Double Talk on reduction of retirement age.

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in CG Employees, SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN

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In the Parliament, Prime Minister has given reply denying any proposal to reduce the retirement age of central government employees from 60 to 58. But at the same time, various reports in the press and other media are coming to the effect that the govt is moving on with the proposal to reduce the retirement age.

Of course, there is nothing to be surprised. Mody government has the credit  of double talk and violating assurances given by it.

It is the immediate task of the unions and associations to expose the govt move and defeat it.

51st Anniversary of of historic 19th September 1968 strike

12 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by in CG Employees, TU News - India

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,

51 years are over after the historical one day token strike of the Central Government employees which took place on 19th September 1968.

It was a strike which shook the government and the country. More than 30 lakhs of CG employees participated keeping the country to a standstill. The P and T workers with their strategical position in the Communication sector ensured that the entire machinery of the governments, both at central and states were paralysed.

It was a struggle for the dignity of labour, for the 15th ILC approved Need Based Minimum Wage, for full neutralisation in cost of living through Dearness Allowance and such other demands. The demands were well understood by the workers despite the false and anti- propaganda of the government.

The Indira Gandhi Government used the hated Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance(ESMO) and other anti-worker ordinances to suppress the struggle, instead of conceding the just demands of the workers. The workers did not flinch; they had the bitter experience of the 1960 strike which was treated as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and tried to be suppressed by then then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The workers had understood the policy of the government, which was only to support the rich and ignore the justified demands of the workers.

It is to the credit of the Communist Government in Kerala,  headed by Com.EMS Namboodiripad, who declared that his government will not use the ESMA against the striking government employees, despite the central government warned him that failure to implement ESMA may result in dismissal of his government.

Thousands of workers were arrested, jailed, terminated, suspended, dismissed and heavily victimised. NFPTE and other CGE unions were derecognised. For the first time after the formation of the united organisation, NFPTE in 1954, a fake union was floated, which later became FNPTO to serve the interests of the ruling political party.

I still remember the enthusiasm of the workers in preparing for the strike and participation despite threat of dismissal and victimisation. I was working at calicut at that time. Thousands of people and supporters of the strike had collected in front of the Telephone Exchange blocking the road for almost half a km. The strike was a big success. In Calicut alone, 44 temporary employees were terminated, 95 suspended in P and T and almost all the active workers charge-sheeted and punished. It was similar in other departments. I was out of service for about three years and was reinstated after transfer to another division. This was the case with many of the leaders and active workers and even ordinary members. 9 workers became martyrs after being shot dead.

Many years have passed since then. The workers are now getting DA automatically, whenever there is an increase in the cost of living. Strike victimisation has come down. Usually only dies-non is issued for participation in the strike, except in isolated cases. Recognition of the union is not withdrawn.

A similar situation of struggle is gathering storm. The Minimum Wage as per Dr. Akroyd formula which is around Rs.26,000 is not implemented. The VII CPC has recommended only Rs. 18,000. The struggle of the CG Employees will continue for justice. BSNL employees, who were part of the CG Employees earlier, always keeps close connection with the CG employees including very cordial relations of the unions/associations.

On this 51th anniversary of the historical strike, I pay homage to the martyrs of the 1968 September 19th Strike. The great leaders who led the strike, the workers who implemented the call – we remember all of them, some still in the movement, all of them retired and some already no more with us. I will always remember those comrades who were part of this great struggle and contributed for a better future for the working class. ( The history of the 1968 Strike is fully described in the book ” History of P and T Trade Union Movement” written by me and published by NFPE. Copies are available with NFPE Hqrs. Price: Rs.100)

Towards Struggle for a better world for the workers!

Central Trade Unions congratulate Defense Employees for successful strike in the interest of working people of the country.

23 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by in CG Employees, General, TU News - India

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The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) namely INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC in their meeting on 21st August 2019, at Delhi congratulated the defense employees for successful strike from 20th August in all industrial, non-industrial (Clerical, office staff) defense production units,Junior Officers, Charge Hands have walked out of 41 ordnance factories (OF) as declared almost a month back, against Modi Government’s plans to corporatize and then to privatise them. This move of the Government will put national security at risk and hence is anti-national.

The Government wants these 41 Indian Ordnance Factories to produce Rs. 30,000 Cr worth of goods by 2024. The Unions have accepted the challenge, but want the government to assure them that the plans to corporatize the ordnance factories will be shelved.

The workmen in essential services like fire-fighting, water and electric supply, hospitals in the Ordnance Factories colonies have also struck work, but are back manning those services voluntarily, foregoing the salaries for the days of strikes.

This massive strike has been peaceful, except in West Bengal, where the oldest ordnance factories are situated. There are reports that the Police lathi-charged the striking workers, injuring scores of them, four seriously. We condemn this unprovoked lathi-charge.

The CTUs call upon the Modi Government to pay heed to the voice of these soldiers behind the lines, who have struck work not for any of their immediate financial demands but for guaranteeing the supply lines to our Armed Forces. The Government’s plans of corporatization of ordnance factories will jeopardize just that guarantee.

CTUs also extended their support to the agitations being carried out for almost a month against the move of corporatisation of production units in Railways with an eye on its huge lands and resources actually to pave way for privatisation to benefit corporate houses. It is hearting to note that the family members of the affected employees are also participating in these agitations.

We call upon all our affiliated unions and Independent Federations/Associations to organise solidarity action programmes on 27th August throughout the Country in support of striking defense employees and agitating railway employees.

INTUC AITUC HMS CITU AIUTUC

TUCC SEWA AICCTU LPF UTUC

[Date : 23 – Aug – 2019]

59th Anniversary of the Epic Strike of July 1960 – Homage to the Martyrs!

10 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in CG Employees

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July 11th, 2019 is the 59th anniversary of the Historic Five Days Strike of the Central Government employees.

The strike was against the retrograde recommendations of the II Central Pay Commission, which did not recommend  minimum wage as per the 15th Indian Labour Conference approved formula as also no automatic DA whenever the cost of living was increased, as demanded by the unions. The increase in the wage was minimal.

Under the Joint Council of Action of the Central Government employees Federations  (AIRF, AIDEF, Confederation and NFPTE), the biggest Indefinite strike in independent India started on the night of 11/12th July 1960. The government refused to negotiate despite continued efforts of the JCA as also many Members of Parliament including Feroze Gandhi ( Husband of Indira Gandhi). The government was adamant. Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru called the strike as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and utilised the entire government machinery to crush it. Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) was promulgated and thousands of workers were arrested, convicted, dismissed, suspended, terminated and charge sheeted. All India leaders were arrested and put in Tihar Jail. Never before India has seen such brutal attack on any strike in the country.

It is to the credit of the workers and their loyalty to their organisation that the strike continued for five days. The entire train running system, the postal and telecom services were all badly affected. Unable to continue against the brutal attack of the government machinery and victimisation, the strike was called of on the fifth day.

5 Railways workers in Dohad were killed by police firing. 2 comrades in Kerala (one from postal and one from telephones) committed suicide unable to face the termination from service. Many were punished with rigorous imprisonment. Public, trade union leaders and outsiders were arrested for supporting the strike. Recognition of the striking federations/unions were withdrawn.

The workers faced these attacks with full confidence in their organisation and leaders. They knew there is no other way to defend their rights and justified demands. They saw the most cruel face of the so called ‘democratic government’.

PTTI and many international and foreign trade unions supported the strike and demanded the government to vacate victimisation.   In the Parliament, Nehru government was put on the dock by eminent Members of Parliament like A.K.Gopalan, S.M.Banerjee, Nath Pai and many others, who demanded vacation of all victimisation.

It took more than three years for the vacation of victimisation and re-recognition of the unions and federations. But the scars remained for a long time.

Though crushed, the 1960 strike was not in vain. For that matter, no struggle is in vain. The government was compelled to act against the price rise, appoint two committees one after another on the issue of DA and has to start discussion with the unions on the constitution of negotiating machinery, which later became the Joint Consultative Machinery(JCM).

As a participant of the historic strike, I have my own hard experience, which I may narrate some time  later.

The 1960 strike has many lessons for the working class. The determination, dedication and sacrifice of the leaders and workers who were part  of the great struggle will ever be remembered.

The Central Govt. employees are once again on the struggle path. The struggle against the retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC will continue. The workers are waiting for decisions of the Modi Government.

On this 59th anniversary of the epic strike of 1960, we pay homage to all the participants of the strike and especially to those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle!