07 Friday Oct 2016
Posted in Uncategorized
Hearty Congratulations to FACT Management, government and workers!
The loss making company which has stopped production and has restarted functioning with the help of state and central governments, has posted operational profit. The SAVE FACT campaign and the support of the people had also its effect.
07 Friday Oct 2016
Posted in Uncategorized
After completion of this spectrum auction, government has got Rs.65, 789 crores, which is something less than expected. There was no bids for 700 MHz and 900 M Hz. All the major telecom companies were there, except BSNL and MTNL. These two PSUs are starved out of the spectrum for 4G and further.
The government should allot free spectrum to BSNL and MTNL so that they can compete with private companies and provide 4G and later further higher technologies.
07 Friday Oct 2016
Posted in Uncategorized
It is a good decision by Railways. It has reduced the rate for the train travel insurance from 0.92 Paise to one Paise from today, 7th October. The Railways stated that this is a Diwali Bonanza.
06 Thursday Oct 2016
Posted in BSNL, Disinvestment, Forum, General
Tags
Dear Comrades, Colleagues and Brothers,
As a former Convener of the Joint Action Committee, Joint Forum and Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, I wish to present the following appeal to all of you for a patient hearing and favourable consideration.
As all of us are fully aware, the formation of BSNL, corporatising the DOT services was the first step towards privatisation. Even before that, private telecom companies came in the scene. All the assistance, support etc. promised by the government was an eye wash to make the employees get absorbed in the new corporation, BSNL.
Within a few years, all of us experienced the move towards privatisation of BSNL by government through disinvestment and retrenchment. It was only through the united mighty struggles of the workers under the leadership of the JAC/Joint Forum/Forum that disinvestment and VRS/CRS could not be implemented in BSNL. It was a great achievement of the united struggle of the workers. It is to be noted here that almost all the PSUs stand disinvested and VRS/CRS implemented.
Privatisation not only means handing over this great government asset to the private for garnering huge profits, it also adversely affects the national security and results in loss of jobs to the employees.
The latest position of the government is to implement the recommendation of the NITI AYOG, to strategically sell BSNL and MTNL. When protests arose from the workers, NITI AYOG denied the report, but it is known to all that it is a ruse to confuse the workers from going on struggle. The present situation is very critical to the future of the PSU and the workers.
Through the initiative of the Forum and full co-operation from the Management, maximum efforts are made to improve the finance and better the services, which has borne fruit. This year, 2015-16, BSNL is in operational profit of about Rs. 3,000 crore. It is estimated that by 2017-18, BSNL will post profit.
It is, at this stage that the new danger of strategical sale is coming. At this crucial stage, we find the Forum, which has to take initiative, stands divided. BSNL Unions/Associations have always come together when there was any serious danger to the company and the workers.
This is the time for action. Any delay may result in untold hardship to the employees, sale of BSNL and retrenchment of tens of thousands of workers, as was done in the case of ITDC Hotels, VSNL etc. Once there is no BSNL and MTNL, the charge for telecom services will rise many fold, as the experience of other countries have shown.
Action requires unity of all the workers/unions/associations. The JAC/Joint Forum/Forum has been the united force of the workers to defeat the anti-worker policy of the government. There have been differences between the unions/associations on demands or priority on demands etc. but all have stood together like a rock when any serious attack came on BSNL or the workers. This is the force that kept BSNL alive.
Therefore, my appeal to all the Unions/Associations is that at this crucial juncture let us join together under the leadership of the Forum as before and fight the menace of strategic sale and privatisation. The government move can be defeated only if we all are united and ready for struggle.
I hope that all unions/associations will ponder on these issues and will come together as before and unitedly fight for the survival of BSNL and the workers.
With Warm Regards,
Yours Comradely,
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Former Convener of JAC, Joint Forum and Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations
New Delhi, 06-102016
06 Thursday Oct 2016
Posted in General
Tags
Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has issued orders increasing the IDA to 120.3% w.e.f. 1st October 2016. The increase is 5.5% on the basis on the increased cost of living.
Endorsement by the BSNL is expected shortly.
06 Thursday Oct 2016
Posted in Uncategorized
Far ahead of India, China has started trial tests for 5G telecom services. It is stated that 5G can send data 20 times faster than 4G. The trial has started in 100 cities.
India has started 4G just now only.
05 Wednesday Oct 2016
Posted in General
As per the recommendation of the 44th Indian Labour Conference and the decision of the Central Board of Trustees of EPFO, the Labour Minister has assured in the Parliament that EPF will be made compulsory to all establishments with 10 or more workers instead of 20 or more workers. Government had also stated that according to this 50 lakh more workers will be covered under the EPF Scheme.
But the government has gone back on these assurances. Due to pressure from the employers, government has withdrawn the proposal which would have benefited 50 lakh workers.
Going back from earlier assurance is condemnable. The government should honor its assurance.
05 Wednesday Oct 2016
Posted in CG Employees
NFPE, FNPO, AIPEU GDS and NUGDS have decided to go on a two days strike on 9-10 November 2016 on the demands of the Gramin Dak Sevaks in the Department of Posts. The Two demands are 1) Grant Bonus of Rs. 7,000 to GDS at par with Department employees and 2) Payment of arrears of revised wages from 01-01-2006 and 01-01-2016 to casual, Part-Time, Contingent employees, daily rated mazdoors and casual labourers.
The demands relate to the lowest paid employees. It is heartening that the entire regular employees are going in strike for these most exploited section of workers.
We express our solidarity and support to this noble strike!
05 Wednesday Oct 2016
Posted in CG Employees
The 10th Federal Council of National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) was held at Guwahati on 7-9 September 2016. After detailed deliberation of the workers issues, office-bearers with Coms. Giri Raj Singh as President and R.N.Parashar as Secretary General were elected.
My Hearty Congratulations and Best Wishes to all the newly elected office-bearers of the NFPE!
05 Wednesday Oct 2016
Tags
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF met Shri A.M.Gupta, GM(Restg), BSNL C.O. and discussed about the non-settlement of issues of contract workers in many circles. He pointed out that the contract workers in Jharkhand are not being paid full wages. Instead of making payment through cheque or accounts as per orders of the CMD BSNL, they are being paid in cash to avoid scrutiny. In UP(East) Circle, despite bringing the non-payment of minimum wage and non-implementation of EPF and ESI to the notice of the corporate office, the issues remain still unsettled.
GM(Restructuring) stated that several instructions have been issued and that Corporate Office is monitoring the cases. He assured that necessary action will be taken to implement the orders at the field level. Comprehensive orders are also being issued.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 