Hunger Strike by BSNL Pensioners on 21-22 July\

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Reports about the starting of the two days hunger strike on 21-22 July 2015 by the BSNL-DOT Pensioners, as per the call of the All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) have started reaching the CHQ. The Hunger strike is being organised  for settlement of the demands like 78.2% IDA Pension fixation, restoration of Medical Allowance to BSNL retirees, increase of the Medical Allowance to DOT retirees, Pension Revision etc. Thousands of senior citizens are participating in the hunger strike despite their age related problems.

We demand the government and the BSNL Management to settle the issues without further delay. Our Hearty Congratulations to the participants in the Hunger Strike.

Nationwide Protest against Corrupt NDA Government

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New Delhi, Jul 20 : Left parties today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not keeping his promise of giving a “corruption-free” government, and staged nation-wide protests seeking action against senior BJP leaders for their alleged role in Lalit Modi row, Vyapam scam and other controversies.

“On completion of one year of his Government, Modi had boasted that no corruption case surfaced during the period.

But, we told them to wait as there were no corruption charges against UPA government too until sixth or seventh year.

“But even before the NDA government could complete a year, we got to see so many scams coming out. Modi had promised a corruption-free government, but it has been failed so early,”

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said while addressing the protesters here.

 

Subsidiary Tower Company from BSNL? – We have serious reservations

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It is reported in the press that CMD BSNL has stated that the proposal for subsidiary Tower Company, hived off from BSNL, is awaiting decision of the government. it is also reported that by hiving off towers, an amount of about Rs. 20,000 crore can be collected, but the same will be with the new company.

Workers have got very serious reservation on this proposal.It will seriously and adversely affect BSNL.

Before any final decision is taken, discussion with the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations should be conducted and their opinion considered.

Jamshedpur Victimisation – CMD BSNL has to act

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Four all India leaders of BSNL Employees Union, including the President Com. Balbir Singh and General Secretary Com. P.Abhimanyu are going to sit on hunger strike on 22nd July 2015 at the Corporate Office premises demanding vacation of victimisation of the BSNL employees at Jamshedpur by the GM. Many officials, including union office-bearers are transferred and punished at the whims and fancy of the District Administration. Contract labours are retrenched. Several discussions at the District, Circle and Corporate office levels have not brought any result.

It is the continued victimisation of the workers and also the non-intervention by the higher ups that has compelled the CHQ office-bearers to go on hunger strike.

We demand the CMD BSNL to take immediate action against the concerned GM Jamshedpur and also cause vacation of victimisation of union workers there and avoid a direct confrontation with the recognised unions and its leaders, which compelled them to decide for  hunger strike on 22nd July 2015.

Electricity employees to go on strike against Electricity (Amendment) Bill

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The various federations of the electricity employees have decided to go on strike against the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, which the BJP government is proposing to introduce in the ensuing session of Parliament, which is against the interest of the nation as well as the employees. The strike will be organised on the day of the introduction of the bill in the Parliament.

We extend our full support to the fully justified strike of the electricity employees!

Twenty Five Years after Bhopal AIC

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I am thinking of writing a small book on the Telecom employees trade union movement from the historic Bhopal All India Conference in 1991 till 2015, 25 years of trade union action, struggles, successes and drawbacks. It covers both the DOT and BSNL period.

Any comrade or colleague, who can provide valuable information of developments, incidents, photos during the period may kindly send the same to me so that it will enrich the book. This may be sent to my address – VAN Namboodiri, D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi- 110001 or by email to van,namboodiri@gmail.com’  I will be much thankful for the same.

Prime Minister addresses ILC – No decision on labour issues

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 46th session of Indian Labour Conference today, 20th July 2015, and assured that the concerns of the trade unions will be taken in to consideration on labour issues. But there was no decision announced.

It is very different when speaking in the meetings/conferences with the corporates. Decisions in favour of them are announced. But nothing for the workers in the Labour Conference.

Of course, the government have different approach to the haves and have-nots, the corporates and the workers. The issue is whether we are to tolerate such discrimination?

Prime Minister meets Central TU leaders, gives assurances

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the leaders of the 11 Central Trade Unions on 19th July 2015 and gave assurance that their 12 Point demands will be considered by the Government. But no definite assurance was given on accepting the demands including the minimum wage of Rs. 15,000 for contract workers, on social obligations etc.

The Central TUs have given a call for complete strike on 2nd September 2015 on the 12 point demands which they have been raising for the last few years and on which the government have not taken any favourable decision. The independent federations of CG employees, state government employees, PSUs and private – all workers are going to participate in the strike which is expected to be the biggest strike in the country so far.

Assurances of the government can be believed only when they are implemented.

Maharashtra – 1300 farmer suicides from January to June 2015

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The two  main ruling parties in the country always speak about the sad plight of the farmers; but do nothing for them. The continuous suicides of the farmers in the country is a severe black blot on the face of the ruling parties.

The latest information is that in Maharashtra alone 1300 farmers have committed suicide during the six months from January 2015. In 2014, it was a total of 1,981 for the whole year.

When are the ruling parties  going to seriously think about the plight of the farmers, who cultivate and feed the people of the country and solve their problems. Of course, what is the interest for those crorepatis, who form more than half of the M.P.s and many of the Ministers, on the sad condition of the poor farmers?

 

Cuba, US restore diplomatic relations

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Cuba and US have restored their diplomatic relations today, 20th July 2015 after five decades. The breaking off the relations at the time of John F. Kennedy, President US and Fidel Castro, President Cuba is restored now. US broke the relations on the plea of Cuba’s closeness with Communist USSR.

Between this period, the isolation of Cuba changed and most of the countries in the Latin America as well as in the continent restored friendly relations with Cuba. US was almost isolated. This was one important reason for the compulsion for US to change its stance. However, still there are many critics in the US against this decision taken by President Barak Obama.

We heartily welcome the present restoration of the diplomatic relations between US and Cuba.