Kerala – Wages increased for Plantation Workers after sustained struggle

Tags

,

After 17 days of heroic sustained struggle, the Plantation managements have been compelled to  increase the wages of the plantation workers in Kerala. In the meeting of the Government, Owners and Unions held on 14th October 2015, agreement was reached as follows: Tea and Coffee estates workers: Increase from Rs. 232 to Rs. 301. Cardamom estates workers: From Rs. 267 to Rs. 330. Rubber estates from Rs. 317 to Rs. 381. By adding other benefits the Tea and Coffee workers will get Rs. 436, Cardamom   workers Rs. 478 and Rubber workers Rs. 436. The strike has been withdrawn on the basis of the agreement.

Hearty Congratulations to the workers and unions of Plantations in Kerala !

Birth Anniversary of APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India

Tags

 

APJ

Today, 15th October 2015,  is the 84th Birth Anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India and an icon of education and culture.

Respectful Homage to the great Indian!

“We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us” – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Resolutions Adopted in the BSNLCCWF All India Conference

Tags

,

In addition to the Resolution on Policy and Programme, some other resolutions also have been adopted by the AIC of BSNLCCWF held at nagercoil on 3-4 October 2015. Some of them are given below:

Resolution on struggle against anti-worker polices of Central Government.

The 2nd September 2015 General Strike has come out as a historic one. It is the biggest strike since the introduction of the new liberal economic policy in India. Ten Central Trade Unions and Bank , Insurance , Railways, Defiance, Confederation of Central Govt. employees, All India State Govt. Employee federation and BSNL unions took part in the strike . Though the BMS withdraw from the strike in the last moment on pressure from the RSS, it did not make much difference. CITU played a leading role . More then 15 Cores workers directly participated in the strike and raised their voice against anti-people, anti- worker new liberal policies incorporated by the ruling BJP Govt. As per the call of BSNLCCWF, the BSNL Casual and contract workers   fully participated in the strike as they have participated on earlier strikes called by the CTUs.

Strike notice was served  on the 12 point charter of demands,  to contain price rise, to stop disinvestment of PSUs, opposing  amendment of labour laws which are against the interest of  workers, demanding Rs.15,000  as minimum wage,  implementation of existing labour laws, extension of social security benefits to all workers , Universal public distribution etc. Since the Govt. rejected workers’ demands,  the nationwide 16th General strike was successfully held.

The Central Trade Unions have again discussed on the demands raised and decided to go on further struggle.

This 3rd AIC  of BSNLCCWF held at Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu  on 3-4 October 2015 congratulates the casual contract workers for their full participation  and resolves to continue the struggle on the demands raised in the strike.

 Resolution on Implementation of Calls from WFTU

The 3rd All India Conference of BSNLCCWF held at Nagercoil, Tamilnadu  on 3-4 October 2015 resolves  to be fully involved with the activities of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and as are integral part of WFTU proclaims that against the imperialist dominance and onslaughts upon the working class of the world the resistance raised by the WFTU by worldwide protest programs strengthening   international solidarity of workers.  BSNLCCWF will fully co-operate in implementing the same.

The newly adopted technique by the Capitalist forces in the name of LPG has opened the field of enormous exploitation  and sufferings of workers in the different countries of the world. Neo-Liberal economic policy with all its evil means has imposed ruthless attack on the workers. Undeveloped and Under developed countries have become a hunting place of big corporates with the support of the pro-private Governments of these states. The same situation prevails in developed countries also. In this scenario, WFTU is plying a vital role to unite the workers of the world. Every year, 3rd October is being observed as International Day of Action  by the workers of the world under the leadership of WFTU. BSNLCCWF  can never be a mute spectator when the attack on the Casual & Contract workers of our country is increasing day by day.

So, as a part of the international working class and to extend solidarity, BSNLCCWF resolves to take decision from this conference to operate as an integral part of the world Federation of Trade Unions and sustained struggle for the cause of the BSNL Casual Contract workers and for the workers of the world.

Resolution on Regularization of Casual /Contract Labour.

The Casual / Contract workers engaged in BSNL are carrying out the jobs being done by the regular workers for several years. There is no recruitament especially is RM/Telecom Mechanic/ Sr,. TOA etc. The service of casual / contract workers are utilized to perform the duties of all these cadres. The Contract workers are  qualified and skilled.

This Conference of CCWF being held at  Nagercoil  on 3-4 October 2015 demands the management to take immediate steps to regularize the casual and contract workers in BSNL.

Resolution against victimization of workers in Kerala Circle.

 

The Casual / Contract workers of Kerala has conducted a series of struggles in  June, July and August 2015 for realisation of their 18 point charter of demands.  BSNLEU and SNEA  supported the agitation by conducting Dharnas and Day night sathyagraha in addition to other forms of organizational activities. The BSNL circle management has taken vindictive actions against the workers and leaders who have even visited  the agitation spot of CCLU. The Circle leaders of BSNLEU and SNEA were issued with show case notices, dies non etc. A joint action Committee comprising BSNLEU, SNEA and CCLU has been formed and conducted joint agitation including indefinite hunger strike and non Co-operation . The management has suspended 15 BSNLEU and SNEA leaders and charge sheet has been issued. A number of false FIR  has been filed. The working atmosphere of Kerala has been spoiled by the CGM with these brutal victimizations.

This AIC of BSNLCCWF expresses its  solidarity to the suspended Kerala comrades and  also strong protest against the vindictive action and demands the management to withdraw all vindictive actions including suspension and charge sheets.

Resolution

This All India conference of BSNLCCWF held at Nagercoil on 3-4 October 2015 expresses its heartfelt thanks to the Reception Committee for the excellent arrangements made for  holding this conference in a  very effective manner . This AIC also thanks this various organizations which  helped in holding this conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGM of Postal and RMS Pensioners’ Association

Tags

The First Annual General Body Meeting of the All India Postal and RMS Pensioners Association(AIPRPA) was held today at RK Puram  Community Hall. I was invited to participate and attended and addressed. The AGM was presided over by Com.RK Rahate President and inaugurated by Com.KKN Kutty, Chairman Confederation of CG Employees and Workers. Com.K.G.Jayaraj greeted on behalf of AIBDPA.

Leaders of NFPE, FNTO, AIBDPA, NCCPA etc. were present and addressed. The AIPRPA formed was formed one year back and has steadily strengthened. Com.K.Raghavendran is the General Secretary. My hearty congratulations to the AIPRPA and its members!

Netaji Files will be declassified and released – Prime Minister

Tags

,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the family members of Subhas Chandra Bose that the secret Netaji files with the central will be declassifed and the first batch of them will be released on 23rd January, which is the birthday of Netaji.

Let us hope that this assurance will be remembered by the PM and implemented and will not be just like other assurances, many of which are  yet to be implemented.

 

Mammoth Left Rally against Communalism on 16th October at Kolkata

Tags

Kolkata, October 14th – 6 prominent Left Parties of the state today met at Muzaffar Ahmad Bhawan in Kolkata today and has announced that a mammoth rally against communalism and imperialism will take place in Kolkata on 16th October. Announcing this on behalf of 6 Left parties of State CPI(M) Politbureau Member Biman Basu said that all those mass organizations and Left political groups who are against communalism and imperialism, especially in the light of the fact that after the BJP Government has sworn to office there has been over 1000 communal  riots in the country, are welcomed to join this rally. .Every participating organizations can carry its own placards and join the rally. He also invited the personalities who work in the arts and cultural field to join on that date.

Along with Biman Basu, the leaders of the Left Parties viz. Probodh Panda (CPI),Khsithi Goswami (RSP), Naren Chatterjee (Forward Block)Partha Ghosh (CPI(ML )Liberation) and Deboprasad Sarkar (SUCI ) took part in the meeting . In the press conference CPI(M) Politbureau Member Biman Basu also welcomed the decision of various authors and luminaries to return their awards in protest against the murder of Prof Kalburgi, Govind Panesar and Narendra Dabholkar  and against the Dadri Incident and the growing religious intolerance being promoted by the BJP led Union Government.

‘The BJP Government is trying to build up an unknown India where people cannot abide by their culture and taste’ West Bengal has got a rich heritage of standing up to communal divide and following that ethics  steps should be taken to arrest the communal divide‘ CPI(M) Politbureau Member Biman Basu said in the press conference .(PTI)

 

 

Wage Revision and Pay Revision Committee in BSNL

As is well known, Pay Revision Committee (PRC) for the executives of all the Central PSUs used to be appointed by the Government, which will recommend the pay scales to be implemented according to the status of the PSU being decided by it on several criteria. This was done for the last time in 2007.

For the non-executives in each PSU, the management will discuss the wage revision with the recognised union/s and the Wage Agreement reached will be implemented. Last time this was done in BSNL also w.e.f. 01-01-2007.

Now it is understood that the Government is proposing Pay Revision of executives for each  PSU separately as was done in the case of non-executives.

But the important matter is that it is high time that the Pay Revision / Wage revision in BSNL should start without delay. The recognised unions should take up the matter with out any delay. Once the recommendations of the VII Central Pay Commission are out, the demand will become stronger.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour – Detailed report

Tags

Meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour  at Mumbai on 12th October 2015

A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour was held at Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai, on the Issues of casual and contract labour in BSNL. The meeting was attended by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, John Verghese, Asst. General secretary, BSNLEU and N.K.Nalwade, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Maharashtra. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Virendra Kumar, M.P., Chairman of the Committee and was attended by more than 15 Members of Parliament. The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), The Central EPF Commissioner and the Central ESI Commissioner were also present.

The union leaders pointed out that despite many efforts on the part of the union, the BSNL Management has not taken any effort for the regularization of the more than 4000 left out casual labours. Either they can be regularized in the same way as done by the Customs, Income Tax, Central Excise etc. as per the directions of the DOP and T or by preparing a scheme as proposed in the SC judgment itself. The EPF has been implemented w.e.f. 01-10-2000 for Casual labour and the same should be made applicable to the contract labour also. The wages of the casual labour should be fixed as the minimum scale of BSNL, instead of DOT since they are working in BSNL for the last 15 years.

Minimum Wages should be ensured to the contract, which is not implemented in many states. Specific instances like UP, Maharashtra Circles were pointed out.  The brutal exploitation of contract labour was explained with detailed information. Social Security measures like ESI and EPF are not implemented in most of the places. The regularization of contract labour was also raised. The unions also requested for an inquiry in the matter of non-implementation of the labour laws. A detailed Memorandum on all the issues was presented to the Chairman, Standing Committee with copy to all the MPs and Labour Officers along with a copy of the book published by the BSNLCCWF on the casual contract workers.

The Chairman and other Members of the Committee appreciated our points and stated that they will discuss the same with the Management.

After the evidence of the Unions, the BSNL Management was called. CMD BSNL, Director (HR), GM(Estt) and other senior officers attended the meeting from the management side.

 

 

We Condemn the Paint Attack on Sudhir Kulkarni

Tags

, ,

sudheendra-kulkarni-ink-attack_240x180_71444622245

We strongly condemn the paint attack on Sudhir Kulkarni by the Shiv Sena activists for his decision of releasing a book of a Pakistan author. This is one more instance of blatant intolerism and Communal madness. It is to the credit of Sudhir Kulkarni that despite the paint attack, he participated in the function.

Such incidents should be condemned by all right thinking persons.

Dasaratha Deb, the unparalleled Communist Leader

Tags

Dasarath_Deb

The CPI(M) is observing the Birth Centenary of Comrade Dasaratha Deb, former Chief Minister of Tripura, four times MP and  veteran Communist Leader, whose entire life was a big struggle for the people of Tripura and the tribals specially. The militant struggle of the people of Tripura against the king and his overthrow is history. When he was  elected to the Parliament for the first time in 1952 (the first general elections), he was facing arrest and was underground. It was only on the intervention of the Speaker of the Parliament, that the arrest warrant was withdrawn. He fought for the unity of the tribals and the non-tribals in Tripura and became the Chief Minister. He expired on 14th October 1998. Dasaratha Deb was born in 1916.

Remembering Comrade Dasaratha Deb is an inspiration for any Communist. His life and struggles require deep study and recording for the future generations.