Stop Privatisation of Air India – Employees’ Unions to the Prime Minister

06 Friday Apr 2018

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MUMBAI: Eight employee unions of Air India have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising serious concerns about the disinvestment of the national carrier and have sought an alternative revival plan.
In a letter, signed by representatives of the eight unions, they have also flagged possibility of job losses in case of privatisation.

Air Corporation Employees Union, All India Service Engineers’ Association, Air India Employees Union, Aviation Industry Employee Guild, Air India Aircraft Engineers’ Association, All India Aircraft Engineers’ Association, Air India Engineers Association and United Air India Officers Association have written the letter.

Together, these unions represent more than 10,000 Air India employees.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has sought Expression of Interest (EoI) from potential bidders for a 76 per cent stake sale in loss-making Air India as well as divestment of two of the carrier’s subsidiaries.

“We strongly protest Government of India’s move to privatise or disinvest Air India/subsidiaries as it is against the interest of the country and urge the government to review its decision… and explore the possibility of an alternative to disinvestment/ privatisation,” it said.

According to the letter, a copy of which has been seen by PTI, the unions said Air India can be restored to its “pristine glory” if debt worth Rs 30,000 crore is waived off or the loan is restructured and a proper roadmap is put in place with effective management.

Referring to the previous NDA government’s decision to sell two Centaur Hotels properties in Mumbai, the letter said there have been job losses after it.

“In our view, privatisation of Air India should be completely avoided with an effective revival plan with the participation of employees. It is also urged to write off/ restructure the loan for Air India revival instead of giving benefit to any private entity,” the letter, dated April 3, said.

Among others, the unions noted that the airline has never defaulted on interest repayments. (Courtesy: Times of India)

Data leak favours corporates, political parties

29 Thursday Mar 2018

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The exposure that huge data bank have been leaked through / by Cambridge Analytica and that the same have been misused by the political parties at the time of elections is a shock to the people. This is a complete violation of the privacy rules.

Government should take immediate action to find out the culprits and punish them harshly.

Protest privatisation of Air India, the Jewel of the Nation.

29 Thursday Mar 2018

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The decision of the central government to disinvest 76% shares of Air India, the national carrier called the Jewel of the Nation, is completely against the interest of the nation and is part of the aggressive privatisation move of the government to eliminate all PSUs to suit to the requirement of the private corporates to grab maximum profits. There is no justification for the privatisation of Air India, except that by doing so, the private carriers will get a hay day for raising the charges and garnering huge profits at the cost of the passengers.

Air India was one of the profit making excellent PSUs till the government merged Indian Airlines with it and ordered a large number of planes paying huge amount, when that much number of planes were not at all necessary and viable.
It is reported that the bid worth for Air India is fixed at Rs. 5,000 crore. With its large number of planes, the space it has got in all the airports, the machinery, the buses and other infrastructure, Air India will be having an asset of more than Rs. 20,000 crore at the least. Of course, privatisation is a process through which the valuable PSUs are gifted to the corporates for name sake price.

Strong protest should come up against this anti-people move of the government and the privatisation should be defeated.

GRATUITY CEILING INCREASED UP TO RS. 20 LAKH

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in General, Pension

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Ministry of Labour & Employment
Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2018 passed by Parliament

The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been passed by parliament today. The bill ensures harmony amongst employees in the private sector and Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Organizations under Government who are not covered under CCS (Pension) Rules. These employees will be entitled to receive higher amount of gratuity at par with their counterparts in Government sector. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha today and the Lok Sabha on 15 March, 2018.
The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 applies to establishments employing 10 or more persons. The main purpose for enacting this Act is to provide social security to workman after retirement, whether retirement is a result of superannuation, or physical disablement or impairment of vital part of the body. Therefore, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important social security legislation to wage earning population in industries, factories and establishments.

The present upper ceiling on gratuity amount under the Act is Rs. 10 Lakh. The provisions for Central Government employees under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 with regard to gratuity are also similar. Before implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 was Rs. 10 Lakh. However, with implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission, in case of Government servants, the ceiling has been raised to Rs. 20 Lakhs.

Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even in case of employees engaged in private sector, this Government decided that the entitlement of gratuity should also be revised in respect of employees who are covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Accordingly, the Government initiated the process for amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 to increase the maximum limit of gratuity to such amount as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.
In addition, the Bill also envisages to amend the provisions relating to calculation of continuous service for the purpose of gratuity in case of female employees who are on maternity leave from ‘twelve weeks’ to such period as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.

After enactment of the Act, the power to notify the ceiling of the amount of gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 shall stand delegated to the Central Government so that the limit can be revised from time to time keeping in view the increase in wage and inflation and future pay commissions. (PNB dated 27-03-2018)

Journalists stage protest against the alleged molestation of a woman photojournalist covering JNU march.

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

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A group of journalists belonging to various media organisations today staged a protest outside the Delhi Police Headquarters here, demanding strict action against the police personnel accused of assaulting and molesting media persons. Two journalists yesterday filed separate complaints – one for molestation and another for assault during a protest march organised by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students and teachers. The police lathicharged and used water canons to disperse the crowd near Sanjay Jheel in Lakshmi Bai Nagar.

In a joint statement issued by Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Association and Federation of Press Clubs in India, immediate action against the officers was demanded.
The protesters also demanded the Commissioner of Police to hear their grievances.
One of the protesting journalists who didn’t wanted to be named said, “What happened yesterday was not only shocking but scary. It shows the lack of discipline of police forces that enforces law and order in the city…It is especially worse for women reporters.” (Courtesy: PTI)

“March for our Lives” – Thousands of students participate in US demanding gun control.

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

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Massive marches by students were held in all cities in US demanding complete control / ban on guns in the back ground many school children killed in the recent past due to gun firing in schools. Demonstrators hold signs during a “March for Our Lives” rally in support of gun control, Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Chicago. Students and activists across the country planned events Saturday in conjunction with a Washington march spearheaded by teens from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

According to organisers, over 800 March For Our Lives events were held in the US and around the globe — from the United Kingdom across the Atlantic to India, Japan, Ghana, Australia, Vietnam, Argentina, Israel and many other countries.

Massive rally of BSNL casual contract workers in Meerut

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

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BSNL Casual contract labours has created a history in working class movement in Uttar Pradesh. It is in Meerut, on 24th March at 12 noon, the BSNL workers has started a Rally from bus stand under the active leadership of Com.Upendar Singh Teotia, CS, BSNLEU and Com.Naresh Pal, CS, BSNLCCLU, who had organise a massive Campaign programme for the rally on 10 points charter of demands during the month. Colourful rally with flag and festoon has drawn the attraction of the general public of the city. The regular staff and the casual contract labours raised their strong voice in favour of their genuine demands. The rally concluded at Shastri Nagar near CGMT office of BSNL UP (West) circle. Before submission the memorandum to the CGMT the leaders addressed the gathering. Com.Naresh Pal, CS, CCLU, Com.Upender Singh Teotia, CS, BSNLEU, Com. S.K. Sharma, Jt. Secretary, Centre Trade Union, Com.Jaiveer Tygi, VP, CCLU, Com.Josinder Singh, Treasure, Com.Ramswarup Singh, Dist. President and Com.Satish Shama, were the leaders who deliberated their valuable speech to the workers. Really we feel proud of it that the workers has created a history under the banner of red flag union in Meerut. BSNLCCWF conveys greetings red salute to all BSNL comrades of UP West Circle. (Courtesy: BSNLCCWF website)

Sanchar Bhawan March – Workers arrested

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

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Massive demonstration took place on 27th March before Sanchr Bhawan participated by a large number of workers as per the call of the AUAB against the move of the government to form the Tower Company w.e.f. 01-04-2018. All the comrades were arrested, but released in the evening.

Congratulations to the comrades for organising the Sanchar Bhawan March and expressing our strong protest.

Action Programmes by All Unions Associations of BSNL

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in BSNL, PSU, SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN

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The decisions taken by the meeting of the AUAB after the historic Sanchar Bhawan March is reproduced below. The nefarious game of the government to destroy BSNL should be defeated at all costs. The programme includes (1) Massive dharnas on 12th April 2018 at Corporate Office, Circles and districts (2) March to Governors’ residences and submission of memorandum on 24-04-2018 and (3) National Convention at New Delhi on 9th / 10th May 2018. (4) Contacting M.P.s to address the Convention.
The AUAB Circular is given below:

After today’s demonstration programme, that was held in front of the Sanchar Bhawan, an
emergency meeting of the AUAB was held in FNTO’s office. The meeting was presided
over by Com.Chandeshwar Singh, GS, NFTE BSNL. Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE,
SNEA, AIBSNLEA and FNTO attended this meeting. The following decisions are taken:-
(1) The meeting thanked and congratulated all the comrades who participated in today’s
demonstration in front of Sanchar Bhawan, defying the prohibitory orders of the
police, and making the demonstration a resounding success.
(2) The meeting decided that the AUAB should intensify it’s struggle, demanding the
rolling back of the Subsidiary Tower Company. To achieve this, it is decided that
massive dharnas should be conducted at the Corporate Office, circle and district
levels on 12.04.2018. It is also decided that the AUAB should inform the BSNL
Management that, the employees will go on indefinite strike, if the BSNL Board gives
it’s approval to the direction of DoT, for making the Subsidiary Tower Company
operational.
(3) The meeting reviewed the progress in the wage revision matter. As agreed upon in
the meeting held with the Hon’ble MoS(C) on 24.02.2018, the DoT has sent the file
for the approval of the DPE. It is decided that the leaders of AUAB shall meet the
Secretary, DPE, tomorrow the 28.03.2018, to press for an early approval by the
DPE.
(4) It is decided that “March to Governor’s Residence” programme should be conducted
in all circle head quarters on 19.04.2018, and memorandum should be submitted to
the Governor’s. This “March to Governor’s Residence” should be effectively utilised
to make a campaign among the general public, against the Subsidiary Tower
Company.
(5) The meeting decided that a National Convention should be organised in the
Mavalankar Hall at New Delhi, on 09th or 10th May, 2018, demanding the rolling back
of the Subsidiary Tower Company. It is also decided that prominent MPs should be
invited to address this Convention.

AIBDPA has called upon all its units to fully participate in the agitational programme. The call is given below:

“It is a do or die battle, involving the very survival of BSNL. So nobody ,who wants BSNL to continue as a viable PSU extending telecom services to the people of all parts of the country at affordable rates, could be a mere on looker , when an agitation for protecting it takes place. So as in the past, AIBDPA also should be part of this struggle. CHQ office bearers, Circle Secretaries and District Secretaries are requested to take the initiative to ensure maximum participation of pensioners in the Mass Dharna on 12-04-2018 and the March to Governor’s Residence (Raj Bhawan) on 19-04-2018.”