” I want trade unions to be non-political” – Labour Minister

01 Sunday May 2016

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Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has stated that he wants ” the trade unions to be non-political”. He also opposed the present labour laws which provide outsiders to be office-bearers of the trade unions in organised sector and outsiders should be limited to two in the unorganised sector.

The mindset of the Labour Minister has come out. In India, before independence as also after, the trade unions were having political leaders as office-bearers. This was necessary as the trade union leaders were victimised. The position has not changed even after independence. The trade unions are  having their political connection and naturally political leaders also will be there. Neither the trade unions can be non-political. Trade union politics is part of its structure.

The statement of the Labour Minister can only be seen as his frustration due to the recent developments that the government had to withdraw at least three decisions with regard to the EPF, which were strongly opposed by the trade unions.

 

Another VRS in MTNL

01 Sunday May 2016

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It is reported that the government is proposing another VRS for employees of the MTNL. About 5,300 of the existing 46,000 employees are proposed to be given the VRS, who are about 20% of the staff who are aged 50 and above. This the 4th VRS being implemented in MTNL.

The government is also proposing to sell the assets of MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai.

The reaction of the unions/associations has not been mentioned. We are in touch with them.

May Day Celebrations

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in General, TU News - India, Uncategorized, WFTU

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The workers all over the world are celebrating May Day, the International Day of the Working Class! Massive rallies are being held in many cities with huge participation. In Delhi, a massive rally will be held at Ramlila Grounds in the evening.

In the morning at 10.00AM, Red Flag was hoisted in AKG Bhawan starting May Day. Com. Hanan Molla and other leaders addressed. A large number of workers participated. Revolutionary songs were sung and cultural programmes organised.

In India, as elsewhere,attacks on the working class are on the increase. Hard won rights being taken away. Pension is being cut in many countries. Free speech is being curtailed. Mighty struggles have to be organised. 2 September 2016 strike is part of the same. Prepare and organise for the 2nd September Strike!

 

Veteran P and T Leader Com. N.O.Anandan Master passed away

30 Saturday Apr 2016

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Com. N.O.Anandan, veteran P&T Trade Union leader of Kerala, passed away on 29th April 2016 at his residence in Kannur. He was 90.

Com. Anandan Master, as he was respectfully called, was a pillar of strength for the P&T movement. He led  the 1960 CGE Strike, 1968 strike and many struggles along with late Com. Janu Master  in Kannur, where he was working as Post Master. His elder brother late Com. Narayanan Master was also a strong unionist.

I had close connection with Com. Anandan Master, during the period I worked in Kannur during 1959-64 and later. During earlier  two tours to Kannur  I could meet him at his home and discuss about past history of the movement and the present struggles. However, I was not able to meet him last time when I visited Kannur on 24-03-2016 in connection with verification campaign, due to paucity of time. His daughter Com. Latha is working in BSNL at Kannur and is an active worker of BSNLEU.

His body has been donated to Pariyaram Medical College as per his wish.

My Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Comrades and friends!

Red Salute to Com. N.O.Anandan Master!

  • VAN Namboodiri

MAY DAY GREETINGS!

30 Saturday Apr 2016

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May Day

Revolutionary Greetings to all comrades on May Day!

Organise hoisting of the red flag of the union, Demonstrations, Rallies, Meetings to celebrate the International Day of the Working Class!

Pay Respectful Homage to the thousands and thousands of martyrs who sacrificed all for defending workers interests all over the world!

Remember the Chicago Martyrs whose sacrifice  for an 8 hour day benefited the entire working class!

Prepare the workers for the 2nd September 2016 strike in defence of the people and on the most important demands of the Indian Workers!

WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!

Restoration of Medical Allowance for Pensioners – Meeting with CMD BSNL.

30 Saturday Apr 2016

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News, General, PSU

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Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA met Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL on 29th April 2016 and pressed for early restoration of the medical allowance to the pensioners, which was withdrawn earlier on the plea of lack of funds.  The hardships being faced by the retired officials were brought to the notice of the CMD BSNL in detail. Com. Namboodiri stated that even the National Council, the priority of restoring it to pensioners has been demanded.

CMD stated that the matter will be considered.

Govt. move to reduce EPF interest rate defeated – 8.8% interest will be paid.

30 Saturday Apr 2016

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The government has been compelled to restore the EPF proposed interest rate, before the strong protest of the trade unions.

Though EPFO has recommended 8.8 % interest for its subscribers for 2015-16, the Finance ministry decided to reduce it arbitrarily to 8.7%, with out any justification. Strong protest action was organised by the trade unions on 29th April. There were severe criticism in Parliament also.

Now, the government has been compelled to retract its decision. Yesterday the government announced in the Parliament that 8.8% interest will be paid and there will be no reduction from the proposal of the EPFO.

Immediate reaction had its results. Government should not be allowed to take away the had earnings of the workers.

Letter to Prime Minister on change of nomenclature and Acknowledgement from PMO

30 Saturday Apr 2016

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Copy of letter sent to Prime Minister dated 29-04-2016 on change of nomenclature of Non-Executives,Non-Gazetted is given below:

To
Shri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
New Delhi – 110001

Respected Sir,

Sub: Change of nomenclature of employees as ‘Non-Gazetted’, ‘Non-Executive’ etc. – Change required.

At present, the employees in Central government are mainly divided in to two categories viz. Gazetted and Non-Gazetted. In the same way, the employees in Central Public Sector Units are divided in to‘Executive’ and ‘Non-Executive’.

The nomenclature ‘Non-Gazetted’ and ‘Non-Executive’ is a negative term, which means one is ‘not Gazetted’ and ‘not Executive’. Such nomenclatures are part of legacy of the British colonialism. It may be remembered that the British called the Indians as ‘Natives’ to denigrate them.

There is a need to change these nomenclatures which demean the employee, who should have a positive name, instead of a negative one. Will it be acceptable to anybody if such negative nomenclatures are extended to other sections, like the IAS officers being called as ‘Non-Secretaries’, Members of Director Board as ‘Non- CEO’, ‘Non-CMD’ etc. Whether anybody will like it, if Cabinet Ministers in the Central government are called as ‘Non-Prime Minister’?

It is time to change these names which are legacy of the British colonialism and find suitable nomenclature. This needs serious consideration.

Thanking You Sir,
Yours Faithfully,

(Sd)

V.A.N.Namboodiri,
T-18 C, Atul Grove road,
New Delhi – 110001

Acknowledgement Received from PMO

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your Grievance has been registered vide Registration number PMOPG/E/2016/0141348 .Please quote the same in your future correspondance.

Greetings to Vietnam people on Anniversary of the defeat of US Invasion

30 Saturday Apr 2016

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” The Most Precious is the Independence and Freedom of the Country”

April 30th 2016 is the 41st anniversary of the defeat of the US invasion of Vietnam and the unification of the South and North Vietnam. This was the first step in the formation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam( SRV).

It is difficult to find another country, which had to fight for decades to defend its freedom. It was a French Colony earlier, and got its freedom through fierce armed struggle in 1945 under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh. But Japan and US invaded the country. The resistance and guerrilla warfare against US attack and invasion was long and painful.

According to reports, more than 2 million Vietnam civilians, 1.1. million Vietnam soldiers, 20,000 North Vietnam soldiers and 58,000 U.S.soldiers were killed. Tens of thousands were wounded and disabled for their lives. The entire country was ruined. The US used chemical poison like Agent Orange which killed thousands. Many thousands still suffer. The cruelty of the US attack shocked the world.

But at last the mighty US had to accept defeat at the hands of the little Vietnam and backtrack to their own country. The entire world, including many in US itself, criticized the US for its inhuman attack and destruction of the country.

The  leaders of Vietnam, Ho-Chi-Minh  and his army commander Vo Nguyen Giap,  became legends in their own time.

Warm and Fraternal Greetings to the brave people of Vietnam on the occasion of the anniversary of the defeat of US invasion and formation  of Socialist Republic of Vietnam,

Merger of PSU Banks – 10 Members Committee

29 Friday Apr 2016

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The government is moving for appointing a 10 Member Committee to identify the merger of PSU Banks. It will include senior bank executives and representatives from Government, RBI etc.

Proposal for PSU Bank mergers are wholly unjustified and is intended to close large number of PSU bank branches and reduce the employees. The merger move has been strongly opposed by the bank unions.