The GDS Strike continues on 14th Day – ‘Mouni’ Government

04 Monday Jun 2018

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Almost the entire two and half lakhs Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) workers, who  runs the Postal Services in the rural areas and partially in the cities, are completely on strike for the last two weeks since 22nd May 2018, demanding implementation of the Kamalesh Chandra Committee report on the wage and service conditions of the GDS. The report was submitted on November 2016 to the Government, which have some favorable recommendations.  While the government implemented the recommendations of the VII Central Pay Commission, which are mostly retrogressive, for the regular employees stating that the committee reports are treated as ‘Awards’, the GDS Committee report is not implemented.

The entire rural postal service is paralyzed. No letters, money orders, parcels, speed posts, registered articles delivered. About 1,30,000 Sub and branch Post Offices in the country closed due to strike. Still the government is silent and is not prepared to meet the unions, discuss and settle the  issues.

Despite their difficulties, the common people support the striking workers, well knowing under what conditions and negligent low wages they are working without any benefits that the workers are eligible. They understand the wage slavery imposed on the GDS workers.

All the trade unions in the country and political parties are supporting the poor underpaid GDS workers’ strike; But the government is still silent and unresponsive. It was in the same way when  it dealt with the demands of the kisans and other workers.

The GDS workers are firm in their decision to continue the indefinite strike till their fully justified demands are met. The regular employees, who withdrew from the strike after a few days,are fully in solidarity with the striking GDS comrades.

The central government should immediately discuss with the union leaders and concede the fully justified demands, so that the strike can be ended and the Postal services restored.

Kerala LDF Government Marches Ahead -4, Tourist Attractions

04 Monday Jun 2018

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Making Kerala more tourist friendly is a priority for the LDF Government.Developing major destinations including Kovalam, Varkala, Munnar, Alapuzha, Kumarakom, Athirappally, Wayanad, Bekel will made friendly attractions.

Globally acclaimed responsible tourist project across the state is organised.

Jatayupura, a Rs. 100 crore eco tourism project is almost ready for launching. Comfortable houses and wellness centres and natural parks.

Boating in backwaters, walking through the green hills, enjoying the beaches, Ayurveda treatments – Kerala is the place.

‘Gods Own Country’ is fully prepared to serve maximum number of tourists.

BEML increases its performance, profits, but Modi Government wants to sell it to private corporates

03 Sunday Jun 2018

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One of the excuses pointed out by the central government for selling the various Public Sector units is that they are in loss and not viable. Of course in most cases, the loss is due to the anti-worker, anti-PSU policy of the government itself. Still a large number of PSUs continues to be viable and profitable due to maximum efforts on the workers and some managements.

In the case of the proposed disinvestment of 26% of Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), even none of these excuses are there. It is profit making, it has made profit all these years. It is making vehicles etc. for the defence and in the last year the profit was Rs. 164 crore.  It has made profit of more than the value of the company since its inception.

By selling 26% shares, the ownership of the PSU will be transferred to the buyer corporate, even though the buyer will have only a minority of 26% shares. Government will be converted in to an onlooker. Policy and decisions will be taken by the corporate management. Security of the nation is in peril in the hands of the MNCs.

Through the struggle of the workers and the pressure from the Kerala LDF government, the disinvestment process has not moved fast. The centre will be waiting for an  opportunity, as the pressure from the corporates go up for sale.

Fight this Loot of the PSUs by the government through united continued struggles with the support of the people. BEML has to be saved for the future of India.

 

NITI Ayog against reducing prices for petrol, diesel

03 Sunday Jun 2018

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While there is strong protest against the continuous increase in the price of petrol and diesel and demand from all sections of people to reduce the same, the central government is keeping its eerie silence, hinting further increase in the prices. This is monstrous. Prices of every commodity is being increased due to the increase in the petrol/diesel price.

Now NITI Ayong, the creation of the Modi Government, in place of Planning Commission, has put its feet stating that the prices can not be reduced without endangering the development of the country. Mr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice President of the NITI Ayog, has stated that if the petrol price per litre is reduced by Re.1/- , the government will lose Rs. 13,000 crore in a year. It means that the government is getting huge amount through excise charges. If the government gets Rs.13,000 crore with an increase of Rs. 1 in the price, how much lakhs of crore it might have got by the increase of Rs. 30/- during the last four years of its rule!

Compare this with the decision of the Kerala LDF government, which have reduced Re.1/-  per litre from its taxes.

Silence by the people encourage the central government for further exploitation. Modi Government should stop this Loot!

 

Kerala LDF Government increase wages of Nurses, Chhtisgarh BJP Government puts them in jail

03 Sunday Jun 2018

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When the private hospital nurses in Kerala agitated, the Kerala LDF government issued orders increasing the wages in private hospitals from Rs. 7,000 to Rs.20,000, despite protests from the private managements.

At the same time, the BJP Government  in Chhattisgarh has put 607 nurses who were agitating for better wages and service conditions in jail.

This is the difference between a Left Democratic Government and a BJP government. We demand the Chhattisgarh government to negotiate with the unions and release the arrested nurses.

Razan Al Najjar, you will be remembered for generations, your martyrdom will not go in vain

03 Sunday Jun 2018

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This is Razan Al Najjar, the paramedic, who was shot dead by the Israeli soldiers on 1st June 2018, while she was attending to the wounded Palestinians and saving their lives. Despite the fact that the soldiers well knew that she was attending to the wounded,  the zionists shot and killed her. She will be remembered as the martyr of the Palestinian and the people of the world. Generations will remember the young girl who sacrificed her life  to save the life of others.

 

 

Kerala LDF Government Marches Ahead – 2

03 Sunday Jun 2018

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Major development programmes are planned and executed by the Kerala LDF government headed by Com. Pinarayi Vijayan during the last two years of rule. Plans for further programmes are on the anvil. A look in to the developments already completed.

  1. The 6 lane National High Way from the north end of the state, Kasargod to  Kanyakumari, the construction of which has started will reduce  the journey time by hours.
  2. Kannur International Airport, stated to be India’s fifth largest Airport is being completed and will be opened shortly. It will help the people in the Kannur and Kasargod Districts.
  3. Kochi Metro reducing the congested traffic of the metro city Kochi/ Ernakulam already started functioning.
  4. Kochi Water Metro, which help journey and transportation in Kochi /Ernakulam on the line.
  5. Laying of the GAIL Natural Gas Pipeline in Ernakulam and Thrissue District is in progress.
  6. Vizhinjam International Multi-purpose Deep-water  Sea-Port will be functional from 2019.
  7. A 611 km waterway connecting  Kovalam and Kasargod will be inaugurated by 2020.
  8. Muziris Heritage Project focussing will be completed by 2020.
  9. Construction of 657 km Coastal Highway will connect the coastal area with the entire state.
  10.  There are many more medium projects being planned and developed.

The Kerala LDF Government is on the development path for the benefit of the common people. It will march ahead despite roadblocks being created by its opponents.

WFTU President will address International Labour Conference on 4th June 2018

02 Saturday Jun 2018

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The WFTU President comrade Mzwandile Michael Makwayiba will address the plenary session of 107th International Labour Conference on Monday 4 June 2018 at 12.00-12.30 pm.

Immediately after his speech the WFTU Presidential Council meeting and Meeting of friends will take place, under the theme: “The WFTU position on the future of work”. During this event the WFTU will honor Cuban comrade Ramón Cardona for his contribution to the international class trade union movement.

The Massive Strike by the Gramin Dak Sevaks – Central Government should concede the demand immediately

02 Saturday Jun 2018

Posted by in Postal Service, TU News - India

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About two and half lakhs of Gramin Dak Sevaks in the country are on an Indefinite strike from 22nd May 2018 demanding implementation of the favourable recommendations of the Kamalesh Chandra Committee, which was submitted in November 2016 to the government.

The exploitation of the GDS continues since the colonial days. At that time they were called EDAs ie. Extra Departments Agents. They were not treated as departmental or even a worker. Despite getting independence, the governments at the centre since 1947, have not conceded the genuine demands of the EDA/GDS for granting civilian status, minimum wage, gratuity as per government act, leave, allowances etc. It is almost wage slavery.

The GDS are on strike, because all other efforts have failed to move the government. The regular employees in Kerala joined the strike in solidarity and support for 10 days, a commitment which is appreciated by all. As per official report, more than 96% of the GDS in the country are on strike. They are determined to continue the struggle to achieve their long pending demands.

Almost all the newspapers, trade unions, mass organisations and the common people are fully supporting the demand of the GDS. Even the dailies and the media controlled by the corporates have not opposed the strike as is usual with them, but has written editorials and articles in support of the same. The people are supporting the GDS strike, despite the various difficulties faced by them because of the strike. M.P.s, MLAs, and other public figures are making their presence in the struggle premises and expressing their support to the strike. The entire central trade unions are supporting the strike.

The Modi government, which has to take the decision is SILENT! 12 days of strike and not even a discussion at the highest level and decision! It is a heartless and anti-worker government.
It is a government of the corporates, by the corporates and for the corporates! The people of the lakhs of villages, who are daily being served by these poor GDS, are watching the cruel deal and injustice of the government to their long-time friend, the GDS. There is no doubt that they will show their anger and revenge, when the time comes.

We demand the central government to immediately call the leaders, discuss their demand and settle the same amicably. The GDS workers are determined and will continue the indefinite strike till the sole demand is conceded. We seek the support of the entire country to this fully justified struggle of the GDS to be treated as a human being instead of a wage slave, as being exploited in the colonial days.