1ST OCTOBER , 2017 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FIGHT FOR PENSIONERS’ RIGHTS

11 Monday Sep 2017

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AIBDPA has called upon all Branches / Circles to observe October 1st as International Day of Fight for Pensioners’ Rights. The call of the WFTU in this connection is given below:

OCTOBER 1ST, 2017
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FIGHT FOR PENSIONERS’ RIGHTS

Capitalism is pushing new anti-worker measures against pensioners, the working class and the people. The solutions that governments-administrators use are temporary and weak, without perspective or positive exit for those who with their work produce wealth in society and only give benefit to a handful of capitalists who collect, to an immense extent, the fruits of the exploitation.
The measures taken by the leaders of capitalist development, with the competitiveness of capitalists as its motor, require new sacrifices on the part of the working class, pensioners and the people, greater exploitation, and the elimination of all remaining rights. Greater limitation and abolition of public social care for the benefit of the private, annulment of collective agreements and extra payments to pensioners; in addition, to a further reduction of costs for health, medicines, and social benefits.
All this is complemented by new concessions to the big capital, through privatizations, of important sectors of the economy, in energy, transport, water, natural resources, and new tax exemptions.
In the name of capitalist competitiveness, pensioners and retirees throughout the world are experiencing the worsening of their lives and the lives of their children. Their pensions are cut, health benefits are reduced and privatized, social structures dissolve, their rights are generally restricted.
To achieve these objectives, capital does not hesitate to resort to bloody conflicts and wars throughout the world, in which it violently appropriates the wealth of many people of the planet.
We call for the action of all our organizations and friendly organizations, for the next October 1st, international Day of Pensioners, with demands that correspond to our true needs, having as perspective of our struggle a society without exploitation, poverty, wars, nor calamities. We will fight with unity and common action with the working class, the people, and all those who suffer capitalist exploitation.
We strive in this direction: For free and public social security, medical care and pharmaceutical assistance for all, without conditions or requirements. We will claim the right to public and enough pensions, reducing the age limit for men, and setting them earlier for women. Pensions must meet our current needs, so we may live a life with dignity. For social benefits, housing, clean water and leisure, public, free and quality.

WE ARE NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CRUMBS THAT THE CAPITALIST BARBARITY GIVES.

(Machine Translation from Spanish)

Twin Tower Terrorist Attack in US in 2001

11 Monday Sep 2017

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It is 16 years now after the terrorist attack on US cities, including the Twin Towers, which accommodated the World Trade Centre Complex in New York, and killed 2,997 people and injured over 6,000 others and caused property damage of more than $ 10 billion.

It was on 11th September 2001, that Al-Queda terrorists hijacked 4 air passenger flights and hit the twin tower buildings, pentagon complex etc. causing the painful deaths and damage. The attacks were condemned by the entire world.

Twin Tower with 110 story completely collapsed. Osama Bin Laden, the plotter of the attack was killed in Afghanistan in a US SEAL Team attack. The US government had constructed a Memorial in the Twin Tower site.

Terrorism has increased during these years and is becoming a threat to almost all countries. A united and joint effort is required in the fight against it.

Remember Salvador Allende

10 Sunday Sep 2017

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It was on 11th September in 1973 that Salvador Allende, the Socialist / Communist leader, President of Chile, was murdered by the military junta headed by August Pinochet with the full support of the United States. Allende was elected as the President of Chile in 1970. He implemented people friendly decisions, including nationalisation of industries and collectivisation. This created big rift with the United States and other capitalist states. With the help of the military junta headed by Pinochet the Le Monde Palace was surrounded and he was shot dead there. His last speech before being murdered will be remembered long by the Chilean people and the whole world.The military junta that took over dissolved the Congress of Chile, suspended the Constitution, and began a persecution of alleged dissidents, in which thousands of Allende’s supporters were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. US gave full support to the junta.
This was a dark chapter in the history of Chile till Pinochet was removed in 1990. A big statue of Salvador Allende has been installed later at Palacio de le Moneda, in the capital.

 

Pension Revision of BSNL Retirees should be settled urgently.

10 Sunday Sep 2017

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The Pension Revision of DOT retirees was due from 01-01-2006 and it has been ordered by the government, though not as demanded by the National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Association and AIBDPA. The demand for implementation of Option I, as recommended by the VII CPC has not been accepted on flimsy grounds. However Option III as per V CPC recommendations have been accepted and ordered which is a relief to the Central / DOT Pensioners, though not equal to Option I.

The Pension Revision of BSNL retirees is due from 01-01-2017. Nine months have passed and there is no move on the issue from the government. The Pension Revision both w.e.f. from 01-10-2000
and 01-01-2007 was implemented after the wage revision of BSNL employees and based on the same, though continuous agitations had to be organised both by the unions/associations of employees and also AIBDPA. The BSNL pensioners got better pension and pension revision accordingly than that the DOT / Central pensioners.

This time the III PRC has recommended wage revision for the executives in PSUs based on affordability, profit etc. This is to be paid by the concerned management. As such serious struggle will become necessary for the wage revision of BSNL employees, which they have started already. The unions are demanding that the affordability clause should be removed and considering the improvement of services, productivity, operational profit etc. wage negotiation is to be started.

The payment of pension and Pension revision of BSNL retirees is the sole responsibility of the government, especially after the cancellation of the 60:40 condition. Though the government is paying pension and pension revision, it is based on the IDA scale, since the retirees, while in service in PSU, were in the IDA scale. Initially, the government was reluctant to grant pension on IDA scale, since it was higher, but due to the continuous pressure and struggle of Forum, BSNLEU etc. the government was compelled to accept the same and is paying based on IDA pay scale.

There may be delay in the wage revision of BSNL executives and non-executives due to the affordability clause etc. Pensioners can not wait the same way. Their cases need settlement urgently. The III PRC has recommended 15 % fitment for PSUs with affordability condition etc. Since pension is being fully paid by the Government in the case of BSNL retirees, there need not be any delay waiting for the settlement of the wage revision of the employees. While we fully support for the early wage revision for employees, it will take much time in the present circumstances. As such, the government should order pension revision of BSNL retirees with 15% fitment in IDA scale with out any further delay. A united demand by all the pension organisations in this respect will be appreciated.

The wage settlement of BSNL employees is crucial for the implementation of Option III. Further, if there is no wage revision, those retired after 01-01-2017 will not get increased pension like the employees who retired after 01-01-2007.

Both the wage revision of BSNL employees as also pension revision of BSNL retirees from 01-01-2017 is most urgent.

lLLLL

option I

Allot funds for payment to contract labours

09 Saturday Sep 2017

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Complaints are continuously being received from many circles that the wages of contract labours in their circles have not been for months. This is atrocious. The contract workers and their families depend upon the wages for day to day expenses. Denying them their due wages is inhuman and cruel. The CGMs should demand and get the funds required for their circle.
BSNCCWF and BSNEU had demanded the corporate office to ensure that funds are allotted to circles so that the long dues are paid with out further delay.

PAME, Greek Trade Union expresses solidarity with French workers strike.

09 Saturday Sep 2017

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On the occasion of the visit of French President Macron to Greece, PAME issued the
following statement:
The “growth” of the profits of business groups, the competitiveness of capital requires the
attack on workers’ rights and gains. Therefore, irrespective of the country and the political label
of each government, European Union and the political parties of the capital promote antiworkers’
reforms that target to reduce wages, pensions etc., and at the same time to put
obstacles (if not to totally ban) in the Collective Action and Demands of Workers, in the trade
union rights and freedoms of the working class.
Either with memorandums or without, the antiworkers’ attack across Europe is unified, lasting
and continuous.
At the time when the SYRIZA government of Greece repeats the fairy tail of the “Fair
Growth”, utilizing the visit of French President Macron, it is important to look at some indicative
measures that are promoted in France, against which the working class of France goes on
strike on September 12.
 In the name of facing unemployment, the government of Macron promotes the reduction
of compensations in dismissals.
 Servicesare being reformed to the most reactionary for the workers, e.g. reduction of the
time limits for the workers’ appeals against the employers, as well as which dismissals
will be classified as “fair” or “unfair”.
 At the same time, the reforms give companies more power to adjust working hours and
wages to market conditions on the basis of agreements between employers and workers
which are validated by a simple majority.
 As it happens also in Greece, it is paved the way for further undermining of Collective
Agreements through the essential abolition of Collective Bargaining in businesses which
employ up to 50 employees. In these enterprises the employers will create “workers’
associations” to sign contracts “freely”, without the workers’ trade unions to be involved.
This is the continuation of previous antiworkers’ reform which already allowed business
contracts to be signed with worse terms – for the workers- than the sectoral agreements.
All these antiworkers’ measures come after the announcement of the French government to
reduce taxation for businesses from 33% to 25%.
We call the working class and its trade unions to prepare our response in workplaces and
sectors against the antiworkers’ policy and the attack of the capital which is implemented unified
by the governments of all colors across Europe.
We express our solidarity with the workers’ strike in France on September 12.

Assam BJP government makes major amendment to Labour Law – empowers employers to retrench up to 300 workers without government approval.

09 Saturday Sep 2017

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The Assam’s BJP government has made a major amendment to the Labour Law. Last Thursday, the Assam assembly passed a bill, called “Industrial Disputes(Assam Amendment) Bill, 2017”. According to this, in industries engaging upto 300 workers, the employers can retrench workers without any approval of the government. It is important to note that this is one of the important demands of the corporates. According to this amendment, in 70% of the industrial units, the employers will be in a position to retrench workers, without any restrictions of the government. It means, the employers can implement “Hire & Fire” policy in 90% of the industries. When the Central Trade Unions are offering stiff resistance for the Modi government to legislate any such act at the Centre, the BJP ruled states, one after another, are fulfilling the demand of the corporates. On one side, the Modi government refuses to accept Central Trade Unions’ demand of implementing Rs.18,000 as the minimum wage to the workers. But, on the other side, it is trying it’s best to implement the demands of the corporates. This is why we call it an “anti-worker and pro-corporate government”.(Courtesy: BSNLEU website)

Indian TU Delegates visited WFTU Monument in Athens, Greece

09 Saturday Sep 2017

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WFTU CIRCUAR Dated 07-09-2017

The Delegations from South Africa and India visited the WFTU Monument in Kaisariani-Athens, Greece
The delegation of CITU India composed by the CITU President Dr Kandikuppa Hemalata, CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen and the member of the WFTU Secretariat Swadesh Dev Roye and the delegation of the South African Affiliates of WFTU composed by General Secretary of NUM, comrade David Sipunzi, General Secretary of NEHAWU, comrade Zola Zapetha, General Secretary of POPCRU, comrade Nkosinathi Theledi and the POPCRU leaders, comrades Amelia Mahlatsi, Boitumelo Pheleo, Hangwani Mashao, Mosadiwamaje Mokokong. headed by the WFTU President Mzwandile Michael Makwayiba and the WFTU General Secretary George Mavrikos visited the monument of WFTU in the municipality of Kaisariani in Athens, Greece and paid tribute to international working class and its leaders.

‘Health never a political priority in UP’ – In India also.

09 Saturday Sep 2017

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Soumitra Ghosh, Asst. Professor, Centre for Health Policy, Institute of Social Sciences Mumbay, in his article published in Hindu dated 9th September, has stated that health was never a priority in U.P. He has examined the issue in detail and furnished statistics and other particulars. According to him, there has been scant consideration for improving the health system or the hospitals. The per capita public expenditure was only a meagre Rs.452, much less than many other states. During the period from 2002 to 2015 the primary health centres were reduced from 3,808 to 3,497. It is to be noted that the population has increased much during the same period.

It is not the case with UP alone. The central government has also reduced its expenditure on health year after year. At present it is only just above 1% of GDP. In most of the countries, it is around 5% or more. The rich and affluent can get treatment from high level private and specialty hospitals. What about the poor and ordinary people? During elections, all kinds of promises are given to people, but after getting elected, the people and their issues are forgotten. According to latest report of the Global Burden of Disease Study, India is at No. 154 far below China and even Sri Lanka and Bangla Desh.

Central Govt. should take up Rohingya issue with Myanmar Govt.

09 Saturday Sep 2017

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Reports have been published that hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees are killed in Myanmar and thousands are leaving leaving the country as refugees to nearby countries including Bangla Desh and India. This is a big humanitarian issue. It is necessary that as a neighboring country, India should take up the matter with Myanmar. Government should also treat those came to India as refugees and they should not be pushed back or deported.