I am reproducing below the Editorial of Hindu dated 22nd February 2012 titled ‘Working for Labour’ which raises some important points with regard to the demands of the workers and the negative role of the government

WORKING FOR LABOUR

If the country’s trade unions expected progress on the vexed question of a minimum wage guarantee at the 44th Indian Labour Conference, their hopes may have been dashed by the United Progressive Alliance government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s inaugural address last week made no mention of implementing a National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW). Never mind that the application of the 1948 law to all establishments irrespective of the number of workers engaged was uppermost on the conference agenda. The current NFLMW fixed by the Centre in April 2011 is Rs.115 a day. But under the 1948 law, States are free to set their own minimum. As a result, the rates range from a maximum of Rs.203 a day in the National Capital Region of Delhi, to a meagre 68.96 in Andhra Pradesh as on March 2011. Significantly, as many as 21 States still fall below the national minimum, whereas 14 pay wages above that amount. Amendments to the Minimum Wages Act are thus critical to a guaranteed subsistence income for millions of unskilled labourers, including women, who fall well below the standard human development indicators.

Similarly, the Prime Minister’s statements on social security for employees amount to an endorsement of the erroneous view that the protections currently available to the organised sector are coming in the way of job creation. “We must periodically take a critical look [at] whether our regulatory framework has some parts which unnecessarily hamper the growth of employment, enterprise and industry without really contributing significantly to labour welfare,” said Dr. Singh. There is a particularly hollow ring to these remarks made in the context of a country where employment in the organised sector constitutes barely seven per cent of the total workforce. Implicit in this is the reasoning that expenditure on the workforce is a burden, rather than a necessary investment to enhance value and raise the productivity of enterprises. It is necessary to emphasise here that in countries that have embarked upon the deregulation of labour markets, social and welfare protection mechanisms exist which provide a society-wide cushion to the unemployed or indigent. Moreover, attempts to dismantle these protections have met with strong public protests, particularly in Europe. India’s trade unions have had a considerable and highly constructive presence in the banking, insurance and telecommunications industries in the public sector for some decades now. While they have time and again opposed the divestment of government stakes in these enterprises, an inability to organise the workforce in the information and communications technology sector has been a singular failure. It is time the concerns of this segment were also addressed.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), has informed that individuals with a total salary income of Rs. 5 lakh in the financial year 2011-12 need not file tax returns for the assessment year 2012-13. However he will have to obtain a certificate of tax deduction in Form No. 16. This relaxation is continuing since last financial year ( 2010-11).

At last the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also agrees that the budget allocation for Reasearch & Development (R&D) in India is less. He assured the nation, while addressing the Golden Jubilee of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), that the government will double the R&D spending within the next five years. At present, it is less than 1% of the GDP.

The Central Government has miserably failed in improving the R&D in the country. In fact, the government was completely ignoring this sector. Even the existing centres like C-DOT were completely ignored. Funds were not allotted. With other R&D institutes also, the case was similar. It gave a big opportunity to the foreign companies to sell their products at high price and that too without transferring the technology. The government had to pay many times the funds, that could have been used for R&D and profited.

The statement of the Prime Minister can be taken only with a pinch of salt. In the neo-liberal policies being pursued by the government, there is not much scope for the ingenious R&D, which will reduce the exploitation by the MNCs and corporates.  The budget proposals will show whether the Prime minister is sincere to implement his assurance.

The Allahabad High Court  in a recent case ( Hari Shankar Srivastav Vs Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies )  has given judgement that if the Disciplinary Authority wants to disagree with the report of the Inquiry Officer exonerating the charge sheeted officer, then the latter should be asked to file his reply as also a fresh show-cause notice before imposing any punishment. In many cases, the Disciplinary Authority usually mentions that he disagrees with the Inquiry report and impose punishment. This judgement delivered on 6th February 2012 is against such types of illegal imposement of punishment.

The severe  criticism from various corners against the statement of the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that he was not getting sleep thinking about the subsidy, had its effect. In this blog also, I have expressed strong protest in the matter stating that there was no problem for the FM to give more than 4.6 lakh crore subsidy to the corporates and the big business, but was worried about the 1.4 lakh crore subsidy to the poor.

Today, Pranab Mukherjee has clarified that he was not worried about the amount of subsidy, but was worried about the fact that the subsidy was not reaching the poor. He stated: “I lose my sleep not when I look at the volume of quantum of subsidy, but because it is not reaching to the poor and needy and targeted group,”  while talking about subsidy leakages. He also stated that in addition to the 1.4 lakh crore another 1 lakh crore subsidy will be there.

His clarification may save him from further criticism, but what about reducing the subsidy to the rich and increasing it for the poor? Is the government ready for the same? Is he prepared to stop the subsidies to the rich and give it to the poor in the coming budget?

The budget session of Parliament which was postponed due to the election in the four states, will now starts from 12th March, after the results of the elections are declared.

This section is expected to be stormy, not only on the corruption issues, but also on the issues focussed by the 28th February united strike by the entire workers in the country.  The outcome of the elections may have far reaching consequences and reflection in the Parliament.

Though there are still more than 45 days for the CPI(M) Party Congress to be held at Calicut on 4-9 April 2012, the city is  almost ready for the same. In preparation for the Congress, the city is fully decorated. The Reception Committee is accommodated in a 6 storied new building with separate rooms for each committee like Reception, Media, Exhibition, Food, Accommodation, Propaganda, seminars etc.  A series of seminars on various important subjects are being organised in several centres in the district, participated by eminent personalities. A grand exhibition of the cultural, historical  and political past of the nation, with special reference to the glorious past of the party is being arranged which may be in place for about two months at a central place in the city. Huge cut-outs of the programmes and with the photos of leaders of the party are already in place.

The city is in a celebrating mood.  There is no doubt that this will be one of the most important Congress of the CPI(M) and naturally many important decisions are going to be taken with regard to the policies and programmes for the progress of the nation,the common people and the working class.

The unusual and unbelievable has happened. The Mayor of Calicut Corporation, Prof: A.K.Premajam was attacked by some UDF Councillors in the Council Hall, when she was coming out after the council meeting was over on 15th February. A glass was thrown at her by another UDF councillor which missed her due to  turning her head and broke on the wall behind.

The Mayors of Corporations/cities are highly  respected all over the world as the first citizen of the city and given an honourable position everywhere. Smt.A.K.Premajam, Mayor of Calicut,  is a  former Principal/Professor  of several government colleges and have a large number of students who have immense respect for her. She is also a former Member of Parliament of the CPI(M) from Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency.

This is the first time that such a shameful incident has happened in the Calicut Corporation which has a shining past of 46 years.Except for 4 years, the CPI(M)/ LDF was in  power.  Council discussions might have been stormy, the ruling and opposition parties expressing their opinions strongly, but there was not even a single goondaism like this earlier. Both sides respected each other. The corporation led by the Left and Democratic Front (LDF) has implemented many projects making the city beautiful, neat  as also many other conveniences to the citizens which have been much appreciated and hence have been continuously elected to power.

This assault on the Mayor was a rude shock to the entire city. Leaders of  all political parties (except the UDF led by Congress), Trade Unions, cultural organisations, well-known citizens, students  –  all strongly reacted and protested the attack. A huge protest demonstration was held in the city on 15th February going through the main streets of the city. I also got the opportunity to be a participant. During the demonstration and the protest rally, I could meet a lot comrades and friends with whom I have worked and organised trade unions in the city including the central government employees, trade union leaders, leaders of political parties and many important persons.

Today, 16th February, a complete Bandh is organised in the city protesting against the assault on the Mayor. The bandh was a severe indictment of the hooliganism and goondaism shown by the UDF councillors. No such incidents should happen again.

It is official now.The CBI has admitted that the Indians are top in the list of black money hoarders putting their ill-gotten money in the tax havens in Switzerland a few other countries to avoid tax and hide the money. CBI Director Shri A.P.Singh has given the above information to the media. The black money in these tax havens is stated to be about Rs. 24.5 lakh crore!

But still, neither the government nor the CBI is disclosing the names of these offenders cheating the government of its tax and violating the laws of the land. In fact the offenders are being protected. This should be strongly protested and the offenders should be got  punished.

I had the good opportunity today, 12th February, to visit my old school, where I started learning from the 1st class. It is Kara Lower Primary School, in Kannur District. The old students, present students, teachers and the people of the area were celebrating the 116th anniversary of the school. I had studied in this LP school for five years from 1943 onwards. My brothers and sisters, their children and the grand children have all studied first here only.

The school was founded in 1896. It was up to V class . Even after 116 years it is still a Lower Primary School up to IV Class( The state government had decided that the Lower Primary will be up to IV class only). While many schools which came later to High School and Colleges, this  school continued as it is.

The celebration meeting was presided over by Shri  Sajith Master and inaugurated by Shri Purushothaman, an old student and Local Committee Secretary of the CPI(M). A good number of old teachers and students were present. The teachers, former and present were honoured. I was the Chief Guest. I spoke a few minutes on  my school life etc. Com.Karayi Sreedharan, one of our senior leader of BSNLEU and at present AIBDPA and also former Local Secretary of the area was one of the organisers and was present there. It was a happy meeting. In fact it was his pressure due to which I decided to attend the meeting even by cancelling attending the Circle Conference of the BSNL CCWF of W.Bengal Circle, of course after consulting the General Secretary Comrade Tapas Ghosh.

It was a pleasant occasion meeting the old friends and class mates and exchanging news and views and remembering the past. Thanks for the organisers.