Meeting with GM(Estt.) on Casual Labour issues

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Leaders of BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF met Smt. Madhu Arora, GM(Estt.), BSNL Corporate Office on 16th February 2017 and discussed the various issues of the casual labours.

1. Regularisation – The unions demanded that a scheme be formulated for the regularisation of the casual labour as suggested by the unions.

2. The casual labour be paid the minimum pay of the CDA pay ie. Rs.18,000. GM told that a Committee has been formed and that its report is being studied. The union stated that there should not be any delay in the matter.

2. DA to Casual labour – Orders have been issued. But the union representatives wanted that a direction be issued to the order stating that this is applicable to casual labour also, as some of the circles are not implementing. It was agreed by the GM.

Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, Balbir Singh, President BSNLEU, Animesh Mitra, SG BSNLCCWF, Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS BSNLEU and Tapas Ghosh, Working President, BSNLCCWF participated in the discussions.

Wages of contract workers as per Gazette Notification

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, discussed the issue of implementation of the Minimum Wages to the contract workers as per the Gazette Notification of January 2017 with Shri Ashuthosh Gupta, GM (Restructuring) BSNL Corporate Office. He assured that necessary orders may be issued by next week based on the Gazette Notification increasing the wages of the contract workers. The file is be put to the management for the same.

A Pleasant Get-Together

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It was a pleasant ‘get together’ held at T-12, Atul Grove Road (Office of BSNLEU NTR), New Delhi in the after noon of 16th February in connection with the shifting of Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Founder General Secretary of BSNLEU from Delhi to Calicut (Kerala). Almost all the leaders of the various Unions/Associations in BSNL, MTNL and NFPE and also CGE participated. Leaders of BSNLEU from Uttarakhand, Haryana and nearby stations attended.They shared tea and snacks and exchanged pleasantries and union matters sitting in the warm sunshine.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri and wife Smt. Pankajam were garlanded and honourd with shawls etc. Comrades P.Abhimanyu, GS BSNLEU, Bagchi, Convener, Joint Forum of MTNL Unions/Associations, C.Singh, GS NFTE, S.S.Nanda, MTNL Pensioners Assn., R.N.Parashar, SG NFPE, Mohinder Singh FNTO, Balbir Singh, President BSNLEU, Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS BSNLEU, Rasheed Khan, TEPU and other leaders spoke. Comrades Suresh Kumar GS BSNLMS and R.S.Chauhan, CS NTR BSNLEU conducted the proceedings and spoke. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri and Smt. Pankajam spoke expressing thanks and mentioned the united struggles that have been waged for defending BSNL and MTNL, the call of the CG employees for the strike on 16th March 2017 and other important issues. He assured the house that he will continue the ties with all and will be part of the ensuing struggles in the CGE sector and PSUs.

It was indeed a pleasant evening to be remembered.

Congratulations to ISRO and Scientists!

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Our Hearty Congratulations to ISRO and the entire scientists and workers connected with the successful launch of PSLV- C37 with 104 satellites to the orbit today! You have enhanced the prestige and respect for the country!

Cabinet Approved Merger of Affiliated Banks with SBI

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Despite strong opposition from the bank employees and their unions, the Cabinet has reiterated its decision today, 15th February 2017, to merge the following 5 affiliated banks with State Bank of India:

1. State Bank of Travancore
2. State bank of Mysore
3. State bank of Hyderabad
4. State Bank of Patiala
5. State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur.

The decision of the Cabinet is to be strongly opposed since it is against the interest of the customers, the banks and the employees. This is part of the neo-liberal policy of India and intended to help the private banks. This will result in closure of many branches of the affiliated banks and retrenchment of many employees through VRS or CRS.

Our full support to the struggle of the bank employees against this anti-worker anti-PSU decision.

Government to increase Maternity Leave

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Government has decided to increase the period of maternity leave. The answer given in the Parliament on 06-02-2017 is given below:

672. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

(a)whether the Government proposes to extend the time span of the compulsory paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks in private organizations;
(b)if so, the details thereof;

(c)whether the Government also proposes to amend section 4 of the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961, to ensure that women employed in various public sector undertakings receive the same benefit; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government has decided to enhance the paid maternity leave from existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks and an Amendment Bill in this regard was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has already passed the Bill on 11.08.2016. With regard to women workers covered under Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, such enhancement has already been effected by amending the ESI (Central) Rules,1950.

(c) & (d): There is no proposal to amend Section 4 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The benefits under this Act are already applicable and available to women employed in various public sector undertakings.

Parliament March by BSNL Casual Contract Workers on 22nd February 2017

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Massive preparation is going on for the programme of March to Parliament to be held on 22nd February 2017. It is reported that about 5,000 casual and contract workers will participate coming from 20 circles in this programme. BSNLEU has extended full support to the March and their members will also participate along with BSNL casual and contract workers. State level Conventions, Rallies, March to CGMT office, Labour Commissioner etc. are being organised in preparation of the Parliament March. Good response is being received from the casual contract workers for donation collection to meet the expenditure of the March.

BSNLCCWF has arranged accommodation at Garhwal Bhawan, Kali Bari and Ambedkar Bhawan for the outstation participants for 21st February only. The March will start at 10.00 AM from Eastern Court after submission of Memorandum to CMD BSNL and will march to Parliament Street / Jantar Mantar. Com. Tapan Sen M.P., General Secretary CITU, P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, Animesh Mitra, Secretary General BSNLCCWF will address and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri President BSNLCCWF will preside.

Please join the March en mass with the Union Red Flag, festoons, Banners etc. with the demands.
Centre has printed and circulated posters in Hindi and English for wide campaign amongst the members.
Make the Parliament March a big success.

Animesh Mitra,
Secretary General BSNLCCWF

Please

There is no end to discrimination reg. salary of government employees

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Today’s Hindu has reported that there is a proposal to increase the pay of the President of India to Rs. 5 lakh and that of the Vice-President to Rs.3.5 lakh per month. This is being proposed in view of the implementation of the increase of the pay of the Cabinet Secretary to Rs. 2.5 lakhs as per the recommendations of the VII Central Pay Commission. The tradition is that no government servant should have more pay than the President. As per another recommendation of a Committee of the Parliament, the salary of M.P.s is going to be increased from Rs. 1.4 lakh to Rs. 2.8 lakh a month.

It is to be remembered here that the minimum wage granted to the lowest paid government employee is Only Rs.18,000, even though according to the 15th Indian Labour Conference formula, the minimum wage will come to Rs. 26,000. Now granting Rs.2.5 lakhs to the Cabinet Secretary and Rs.18,000 to the lowest paid employee increases the ratio of discrimination to 1: 13.8, which is increasing after every CPC. In addition to the pay many fringe benefits, may be even more than the pay, is being availed by the top officers like Cabinet Secretary. This is also applicable to the President, Ministers and M.P.s.

It is only a few days back that the Vice-President of India, Shri Hamid Ansari spoke about the disparity between the rich and poor. It is the same with the highest paid government officer and the lowest paid. The President and Vice-President as also the Ministers and M.P.s who are the lawmakers of the country should ponder over this issue of increasing disparity. They should show to the people that they want to reduce the disparity by not accepting increases in pay etc. which will increase the disparity. Then only the people will believe in their sincerity in reducing the disparity.

Glimpses of the Past – ‘Superior and Inferior Services’

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Those who are in power or dominating position mostly try to ridicule or humiliate those who are in a lower position. Every body knows how the caste system has been utilised for this purpose.

The Britishers used this tactics very effectively. Indians were called ‘Natives’. In the government services they categorised the employees as ‘Superior Services’ and ‘Inferior Services’. Officers were ‘superior services’ and others were ‘inferior services.’

After Independence, these were changed. But new designations also have something similar. Executives and Non-Executives! Gazetted and Non-Gazetted! The feudalistic mindset continues. When these negative designations will be changed?