Thousands of nurses of the private hospitals in Kerala are on struggle for the last few weeks demanding payment of minimum wages of Rs. 20,000 as declared by the Supreme Court. This is a fully justified demand. The management of the private hospitals who collect hefty amounts from the patients are denying even the minimum wage to the nurses. These nurses have to go through vigorous training for three years or more and require practical experience. Many hospitals ask the staff to work more than 8-10 hours.

Nursing is a highly skilled job and requires to be treated as such. But even the minimum wage is denied to them.

The Managements and the government should settle the issues raised by the nurses and their associations!

Storming of the Bastille starting the French Revolution of 1789

Two centuries and 28 years have passed after the great French Revolution of 1789 in which the workers captured the government and executed the king. It was a popular uprising against the absolute power of the king and against the privileges and wealth of the elite, and was focussed in the name of liberty, equality and fraternity. It gave a new identity to the citizen.

The Bastille fort which was a mark of the authority of the king was stormed on 14th July 1789, which was the starting of the French Revolution.

Of course, the revolution could not continue for long and collapsed. But the slogan of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’ raised in the Revolution became a slogan of the entire world.
It inspired many generations of people all over the world.

Message from Trade Union International (Pensioners and Retirees) given below:

About three out of ten people worldwide, 2100 million people, lack access to potable water and water available at home. And six out of 10 4,400 million- lack safe sanitation. The conditions are worse in rural areas. Are the findings of the new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF , which also warns of water shortages in health centers and schools, increasing the risk of disease especially of children. As a result, 361,000 children under five die each year from diarrhea.

“Drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in the home should not be an exclusive privilege of those who are rich or live in urban centers , ” said the director general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It is fundamental to human health services, and all countries have a responsibility to ensure that everyone can access them , ” complains. As reported by the agency, thousands of millions of people have gained access to basic water and sanitation since 2000, but these services do not necessarily provide clean water and safe sanitation.

Poor sanitation and contaminated water are also associated with the transmission of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. “Drinking water, effective sanitation and hygiene are critical to the health of every child and community, and therefore are essential to build stronger, healthier and more equitable societies. As we improve these services today in the most vulnerable communities and underprivileged children we are offering a fairer to enjoy a better tomorrow opportunity , “adds Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director.

According to the report, 2,100 million people do not have water safely managed, 844 million lack even basic water service. This includes 263 million people who have to spend more than 30 minutes per trip to collect water from sources that are away from home, and 159 million who still drink untreated water from sources of water, such as streams or lakes. In 90 countries, progress towards basic sanitation is too slow, which means that its inhabitants will not reach universal coverage by 2030, continues the document.

Of the 4,400 million people do not have safe sanitation, 2.300 million still lack basic sanitation. This includes 600 million people who share a toilet or latrine with other households, and 892 million people, most in rural areas – that defecate in the open. Due to population growth, open defecation is increasing in sub – Saharan Africa and Oceania. According to the report, access to water and soap for washing hands varies greatly in the 70 countries with available data from 15% of the population in sub – Saharan Africa to 76% in West Asia and North Africa.

Today, 13th July 2017, is the 79th death anniversary of Henry Barton, Pioneer of the P and T trade union movement in the country. He passed away in England on the same day in 1938 after ailing some time in the hospital.

Founder of the ‘Indian Telegraph Association’ in 1908 and the journal ‘Telegraph Recorder’ in the same year,  Henry Barton, who was affectionately called as Harry Barton by his friends was a dynamic man  who organised many struggles for the workers. He had to resign from the service after he was transferred to an isolated place and devoted his entire life to the service of the workers. He was the General Secretary of the ITA from 1908 to 1936.

He was a member of the Telegraph Enquiry Committee, Postal Enquiry Committee and also was nominated as a Member of the Bengal legislative Assembly. He left for England in 1936 for better treatment and passed away on 13th JUly 1938.

Red Salute to Comrade Henry Barton!

Massive Hunger Strike was organised in all centres by BSNL Executives and non-executives as per the call of the unions/associations on 13th July 2017 demanding early wage revision, pension revision, 30% supernumerary benefits to BSNL recruitees, pension contribution on basis of actual salary and also opposing the anti-unions directions issued by the BSNL management. The unions/associations called upon the workers to organise the 27th July Strike on these demands a complete success.

Hearty Congratulations and Greetings to all the unions/associations and also the workers who made the programme a big success!

Ranchi [Jharkhand], July 10 : Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) leader Brinda Karaton Monday severely criticised Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das for letting a woman wash his feet saying that such acts are unbecoming of a chief minister.
“It is absolutely wrong on the part of the Chief Minister to let a woman wash his feet and call it a tradition. If one has to look at traditions then the Chief Minister should be the one washing the feet of the people. He should respect them. These things must not be repeated. It is unbecoming of a chief minister,” Karat told.
A video went viral on Sunday in which a woman was seen washing the feet of Raghubar Das on the occasion of Guru Mahotsav.
At the event, held at the Brahma Lok Dham, the woman washed Das’ feet on a plate full of flower petals.
Das was the chief guest at the event. (Courtesy: Ganashakti)

An All India Women’s Convention called by BSNL Employees Union is being held at Hyderabad on 8th July 2017. This is being held as per the decision of the BSNLEU All India Conference held at Chennai in January 2017.

Large number of women delegates are expected to participate from all over India. They will discuss about their issues and formulate a Charter of demands. They will also discuss about how to bring more women to the organisation as also taking more responsibility in the organisation.

Greetings to all the office bearers and delegates participating in the All India Women’s Convention!

Solidarity Messages to the Workers of Brazil on their General Strike of June 30
30 Jun 2017FISE
FISE expresses Solidarity to the Workers of Brazil on their General Strike of June 30

FISE expresses its support to the workers of Brazil, for the 30 June, General Strike.

The workers of Brazil, on June 30 go on strike all over the country against the antiworkers’ reforms, planned by the Government of Brazil.

The struggle for full time, steady jobs, decent wages, Public and Free Social Security, Healthcare and Educations, is a struggle of the working class all over the world against business groups and the Governments, who serve them.

FISE expresses its solidarity and support to the workers’ mobilizations in Brazil.

Comrade S.P.Kalairajan, Circle Secretary of BSNLEU, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, retired on 30th June 2017 on superannuation.

Com.Kalairajan is an extra-ordinary, vibrant and dedicated leader of the working class. His entire service was dedicated to the DOT/BSNL employees as well as the central/state government employees of the A&N Islands. I remember the various times I have visited the islands on organisational tours. Every time, he organised several meetings of the central / state government employees as also teachers organisations. In the islands, he almost personally know each and every one. He accompanied me to the various islands and held meetings.  Though E.III and BSNLEU was a minority in the initial stage, the team led by Com. Kalairajan ensured that majority came to him.

Despite difficulties he used to attend all the All India Conferences and CEC meetings of the union. Every time we met, sometime will be utilised for discussion on organisational matters and progressive ideas. Even at latest CEC Thiruvananthapuram this was the case.

Kalairajan is an author. His book on the Tamil language is of high standard. As is usual with many of the people in Andamans, Kalairajan also knows various Indian languages. He has built up a strong organisation in the Islands including Com. Ratnambal, who herself is a senior leader.

On his retirement from service, my hearty congratulations and greetings to him. Now he had got a wide field for activities. I mentioned to him last time about Com.P.K.S.Prasad, who was a tall leader of the Andamans as an example for his future work.

Revolution Greetings to Com. Kalairajan!