As pointed out several times in this blog, brutal exploitation of casual contact workers is taking place in BSNL. We are making all efforts to put an end to this exploitation of the low paid workers. Social security measures like EPF ESI are not implemented. Workers are being  retrenched for union activities. Such atrocities can not happen in a PSU, where strong progressive unions  are there.
In my capacity as President of the BSNL Casual Contract Workers Federation, I have already met most of the General Secretaries / CHQ leaders and requested them to help in putting an end to the exploitation.
I am very happy to state that all those comrades whom I met supported me, including ITSA leaders, and assured that this evil practice should be stopped and their support is there.
I am sure this solidarity will bring some improvement. Thank you Comrades!

BSNL Management in Hazaribag, jharkhand is continuing victimisation of the casual contract workers there. All the 287 workers are kept out of work since July 2013. What is their ‘crime’? They went on strike demanding payment of minimum wage, EPF, ESI etc. as per government notifications and CMD BSNL orders. They were being paid only a fraction of minimum wage. Strike was withdrawn after assurance that orders will be implemented. But what happened is something else. All the 287 workers have been retrenched. No work is being carried out and maintenance is suffering. But the management is continuing its revenge and inhuman victimisation. The case is pending with Dy. Chief Labour Commissioner.
BSNL C.O.is keeping silence despite the same brought to its notice.
BSNLCCWF Jharkhand Circle is on the move to start agitation on these and other issues.

A state level Convention BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Jharkhand was held at Gandhi Sevasadan Dhanbad today, 28 November 2014.
Com. Sudarshan Singh, District President, BSNLCCWF, presided over the meeting. Com.B.Narayan, Vice President, BSNLEU, welcomed all. Com.VAN Namboodiri, All India President, BSNLCCWF, inaugurated the convention. He spoke in detail about the issues of the casual contract labour, strike yesterday, against victimisation and the need to strengthen the organisation. Comrades Naresh Lal, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Sudama Pal Circle Secretary BSNLCCWF, BN Singh, DS AIBDPA, Jameel Akthar BSNLCCFW and other comrades spoke. The doubts raised by the workers were answered by Com.Namboodiri.
Jharkhand Casual Contract Workers Federation has conducted many struggles in the past and achieved gains. At the same time, union leaders were victimised both in Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Hazaribag. BSNLCCWF has taken up the case with C.O.

How much Central Government is spending for advertisement in papers on birth and death anniversaries of leaders? It is a whooping Rs.142 ctores in the 5 years during 2008-2013. Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth has given the information. For Gandhiji, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi alone, Rs. 53 crore has been spent.
Now BJP government is examining to reduce the advertisement for birth/ death anniversaries of Father of the Nation.
Good! Unnecessary expenditure is certainly to be avoided. But whether the present decision is politically motivated since almost all the leaders whose anniversaries are being advertised are Congress leaders?

After reaching Dhanbad,along with Coms.Naresh Lal, Circle Secretary, B.Narayan, Vice President BSNLEU and Sudama Pal, Circle Secretary BSNLCCWF I met the large number of casual contract workers who have come from the SSAs in Jharkhand and discussed with them about the problems they are facing. While improvements have taken place, many issues are still to be settled. Minimum wage, EPF / ESI are yet to be implemented in some SSAs.
But the major issue is retrenchment. Where struggles have taken place and demands achieved, workers have been retrenched and victimised. Jamshedpur and Hazaribad are examples. All the casual/ contract workers have been retrenched at Hazaribad. Many have been retrenched and transferred in Jamshedpur. BSNLEU Dist. Secretary also has been victimised for supporting the BSNLCCWF.
We heard the reports and assured that all these cases will be taken by both BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF. The workers are ready to continue their struggle and strengthen the organisation.
A meeting is also fixed in the evening today.

Hearty Congratulations to all BSNL employees and casual contract workers who made today’s one day strike complete successful.