CITU EXTENDS SUPPORT TO THE STRIKE OF REGIONAL RURAL BANK EMPLOYEES ON 26-28 MARCH

26 Monday Mar 2018

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Kozhikode : Employees and officers of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are going to observe three days strike from March 26 at the call of United Forum of RRB Unions. The main issues of the strike are privatisation of Regional Rural Banks, introduction of Pension, compassionate appointments and regularisation of temporary workers.
Regional Rural Banks Act has been amended by the present NDA Government and with that amendment, 49 % of the share of RRBs can be privatised. Representatives of the private share holders can be appointed to the director board of the banks. Regional Rural banks have been playing a tremendous role in implementing poverty alleviation programmes of the Government. The rural poor of our country have utilised regional rural banks as place for their limited financial transactions. This institution is going to be handed over to corporates on a platter. The Life of the farming community especially the small and marginal farmers who have adversely affected by the neoliberal policies being pursued by the Government will further worsened if RRBs are privatized.
The salary and other benefits of the Gramin bank employees were equated with the employees of the scheduled commercial banks as an outcome of the national industrial tribunal award (NIT) 1990. But pension is not introduced as a retirement benefit to Gramin bank employees. Gramin Bank employees are waging strong struggle for introduction of pension. Two High courts of the country have given judgment in favour of the employees. But the government, instead of honouring the judgment, took the case to supreme court.
As the next stage of agitation, Gramin bank employee and officers, under the banner of United Forum of RRB Unions, are going to observe three days strike from March 26. All India general council of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions meeting at Kozhikode from March 23 to 26 extend solidarity and support to the three days strike of RRB employees. This General Council demand the central government to settle the issues of the Gramin bank employees, without any more delay. (Press Report)

COMMISSIONING MOTHER ENTITLED TO MATERNITY BENEFITS

24 Saturday Mar 2018

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GIVING BELOW THE GOVT. PRESS NOTE REGARDING GRANT OF MATERNITY BENEFITS TO COMMISSIOING MOTHER.

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Maternity Leave and Pension

Hon’ble Delhi High Court vide its judgement dated 17.07.2015 in the Writ Petition (C) No. 844/2014 – Rama Pandey vs. Union of India &Ors., has laid down that a female employee, who is the commissioning mother, would be entitled to apply for maternity leave. Department of Personnel and Training, after examination of the judgement, has circulated it to all Ministries/Departments for wide publicity vide Office Memorandum dated 29.01.2018.

In accordance with the Office Memorandum No. 1/13/09- P&PW (E) dated 19th July, 2017, family pension would also be granted to a divorced daughter from the date of divorce in cases where the divorce proceedings had been filed in a competent court during the life-time of the employee/pensioner or his/her spouse but divorce took place after their death, subject to fulfilment of all other conditions for grant of family pension.

No centralized data regarding grant of pension/family pension by the various Pension Disbursing authorities is maintained.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singhin a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.

Votes are for sale!

24 Saturday Mar 2018

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The results of the Rajya Sabha elections declared yesterday indicates not only cross voting, but sale of votes also as reported in the press. To what extend the politics has gone down? Does money decides every thing for these unscrupulous politicians?

BSNLCCWF meeting with Labour Commissioner on 22nd March 2018

24 Saturday Mar 2018

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As scheduled in the last meeting held on 22nd February 2018, a meeting was held between BSNLCCWF and Labour Commissioner in Delhi on 22.03.2018 and discussion held. It is stated by the leaders that after instructions from labour commissioner, the BSNL Management has not implemented the Gazette Notification for the contract workers throughout the country except few circles. Leaders of BSNLCCWF have lodged a complaint before the labour commission that though the BSNL Management has endorsed the Gazette Notification revised wages for the contract labourers but at the same time, the management has issued the order for 50% curtailment of the contract labourers to minimize the expenditure. It is also mentioned that social security measures like EPF, ESI, Gratuity has not been implemented. Further, they have also taken a negative stand to implement the 7th CPC for the casual labourers wages. He has ordered the management to give a specific reply on writing on the issues of the 7th CPC recommendation for the casual labourers. The Labour commissioner also slapped the BSNL Management on the issue of regularization and the gratuity for the casual and contract workers. Labour commissioner has remarked in the discussion that Uma Devi Judgement should not misuse to harass the casual and contract workers. In reply, on behalf of the BSNL Management, has submitted the written statement before the ALC(C) regarding the agenda of BSNL Casual and Contract workers where in it is stated that the revision of the wages of the Casual Labour will be determined at the time of 3rd PRC on which leaders of the BSNLCCWF has strong protest for this delay practice of the management. Com Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, BSNLCCWF and Tapas Kumar Ghosh, Working President was present in the meeting and 5 officers of BSNL were present in the meeting. After hearing, ALC(C) has advised to the Federation to give the reply of the statement of the BSNL Management earliest so that a decision can be taken by BSNL in the next meeting which will be fixed on 27.04.2018.(BSNLCCWF Website)

CITU General Council started at Kozhikode

24 Saturday Mar 2018

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The CITU General Council has started at Kozhikode on 23rd March 2018 which will continue up to 26th.The Presidential Speech was delivered by Dr. Hemalatha, President and the Report was submitted by the General Secretary, Com. Tapan Sen, M.P. The General Council strongly opposed the new notification by the Central government on making all appoints as term appointments and called upon the workers to protest the same. Solidarity actions will be organised on 2nd April through out the country on which day the Trade Unions in Kerala have called for a strike against the new attack on the working class. The Council is attended by 460 delegates. The Reception Committee led by Com. Elamaram Karim, General Secretary CITU Kerala has all arrangements for the conduct of the council.

Dilution of provisions of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act – Concerns expressed by CPI(M)

24 Saturday Mar 2018

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The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses concern about the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court that has diluted the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act.

The judgement delivered by a bench of Justice U.U. Lalit and Adarsh Goel ignored the social reality of caste oppression, harassment and atrocities perpetrated on Dalits on a daily basis. It has made the arrest and prosecution of those accused under the Act almost impossible by removing the restrictions on granting anticipatory bail and imposing a condition that a public servant can be prosecuted only after obtaining permission from the higher authorities.

It is unfortunate that the central government counsel did not respond properly and raise objections against the dilution of the provisions of the Act. Unless immediate remedial measures are taken by the Central Government to undo the damage done by the judgement, the forces inimical to social equality and justice will be further emboldened to perpetrate violence against Dalits.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) urges the central government to immediately move a review petition against the retrograde judgment of the Supreme Court bench.

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Gratuity increased from Rs.10 to Rs. 20 lakhs to private sector also

23 Friday Mar 2018

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22/03/2018 Press Information Bureau

Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2018
passed by Parliament
Posted On: 22 MAR 2018 3:36PM by PIB Delhi
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 increaAmount increased to Rs. 20 lakhs for all.se in
wage and inflation and future pay commissions.

Hold lunch hour demonstrations on 27-03-2018, against the government’s attempt to operationalise the Subsidiary Tower Company.

23 Friday Mar 2018

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A meeting of All Unions and Associations of BSNL(AUAB) is held yesterday the 22nd March,2018, in FNTO’s office. Representatives of BSNLEU, NFTE, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, FNTO, SEWA BSNL, BSNLMS, BSNLOA participated. The meeting reviewed the developments that had taken place after the meeting with the Hon’ble MoS(C) that was held on 24th February,2018. It is observed that the government is moving fast to operationalise the Subsidiary Tower Company from the 1st of April, 2018, totally ignoring the strong opposition from the entire employees of BSNL. In view of this, the meeting decided to launch agitational programme to stop the same. Decision is taken to conduct “lunch hour demonstrations” on 27th March,2018, in front of Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, as well as at circle and SSA head quarters, throughout the country. A memorandum, opposing the Subsidiary Tower Company will be submitted to the Hon’ble MoS(C) at Sanchar Bhawan. Same memorandum will be submitted to the respective CGMs and the state governors, to be forwarded to the MoS(C). CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to successfully implement the call. (BSNLEU Website)

Death Anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh

22 Thursday Mar 2018

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Today, 23rd March 2018, is the 87th anniversary of the martyrdom of the great revolutionaries Shahid Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, who were hanged on 23rd March 1931, by the British imperialists. They  sacrificed their priceless lives at the altar of freedom of the country. It is to be remembered that Bhagat Singh was only 23 years when his life was taken away by the brutal British Government.

It is more than  seven decades since we got political independence. But the secular socialist democratic nation envisaged by martyrs like Bhagat Singh is yet to be achieved. Instead, the present BJP government aggressively is implementing policies which destroy social harmony and create intolerance.

On this day, when we pay homage to the sacred memory of Bhagat Singh and other martyrs, let us pledge to continue our struggle for protecting the secular fabric of the nation!

CITU General Council at Kozhikode from 23rd March.

22 Thursday Mar 2018

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General Council meeting of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will begin on Friday (March 23, 2018) at historic port city of Kozhikode in Northern coast of Kerala. A galaxy of leaders of revolutionary trade unions reached in the city to design the future course of struggles. The meeting will begin with the flag hoisting and the formal opening of four day session with the address of CITU president Dr. K Hemalatha at the venue christened as Muhammed Amin Nagar arranged in Tagore Centenary Hall, Kozhikode.
The General Council meeting gets significance as the central government announces its decision to eliminate regular employment.
After the Presidential address, General Secretary Tapan Sen will present the report. A separate session will be held to update 25 year old Bhubaneshwar document on organization. The Bhubaneshwar document was adopted by General Council held in 1993 at Bhubaneshwar. On the basis of 25 years’ experience and lessons the document will be discussed thoroughly to incorporate new strategies to reach out the unreachable sections of working class.
The council would discuss the central government’s disastrous move to weaken the unity of worker the help of communal and caste forces.
Kozhikode, a city has rich heritage of historic labour and peasant struggle hosts the CITU general Council after the gap of 17 years. The working class in the district is fully engaged with the reception committee to make the meeting a grand success. Seminars of various subjects held in connection with general council attracted thousands of workers and common people from all walks of life.
A huge workers’ rally will be held in Kozhikode beach on 26th of March. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the rally. CITU president Dr. K Hemalatha, General Secretary Tapan Sen, vice president A K Padmanabhan, state president Anathalavattam Anandan, General secretary Elamaram Kareem will address.
Dr. Hemalatha inaugurated a seminar JAN EKTA, JAN PRATIRODH, JAN ANDOLAN, on 22-03-2018 held in Kozhikode in connection with CITU general council. (Courtesy: Ganashakti)