Greece submits new bail-out proposls to Eurozone

The Greek Government has submitted its proposals for the bail-out to the Eurozone officials. It is now for the Eurozone to accept it or deny. Let us hope that the issue is settled early.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 ( 25 )

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Uttarakhand Disaster Relief Fund

The meeting of the Forum held on 26th June 2013, expressed its great sorrow in the death of hundreds of people of Uttarakhand floods and landslides and decided to donate one day pay as donation for the relief fund. The BSNL Management was accordingly requested to collect the amount from the pay and give it to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Badge Campaign against 100% FDI in Telecom

The Forum meeting held on 17th July 2013 decided to organize a Badge campaign against the decision of the Government to increase FDI in Telecom from 74%to 100%, which will result in the telecom sector being completely taken over by the foreign corporates. Accordingly, BSNL employees wore the Badge with the words “Drop Decision to Increase FDI in Telecom & Defence” on 25th July and attended the offices. Demonstrations were also organized on the day.

National Convention of BSNL Employees on 3rd August 2013.

The National Convention of BSNL Employees was held at Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 3rd August 2013 which was attended by more than 1,000 delegates from all over India. The Convention was organized by the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations to discuss and decide upon the measures to be taken for improving the financial position of BSNL and also for improving the services.

Com.Chandeshwar Singh, SG NFTE and President Forum presided. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, welcomed the guests and delegates and introduced the draft Declaration of the Convention for discussion and adoption. Central Trade Unions leaders including Com. Gurudas Dasgupta, M.P. & General Secretary AITUC, Com.Swadesh Dev Roye, Secretary, CITU, Shri B.N.Rai, General Secretary, BMS, Dr. Udit Raj, President, All India SC/ST Employees Federation, Thomas John, Organising  Secretary, INTUC and  Com. R.Venkatraman (LPF &TEPU) addressed. The Central Trade Union leaders strongly criticized the anti-worker policies of the UPA-II government. They supported the demand of the BSNL workers for revival of BSNL and MTNL. They also assured that they will take up the issues with the government and wholly supported the trade union actions of the Forum.

The Convention was addressed by all the leaders of the Forum Unions ie. Com. Animesh Mitra (BSNLEU), K.Sebastin(SNEA(I), Prahlad Rai(AIBSNLEA), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), N.D.Ram(SEWA BSNL), K.Jayapraksh(FNTO) S.V.S.Subrahmanyam (BTEU) and others who supported the Draft Declaration presented by the Convener. The Convention unanimously adopted the Declaration presented in the house. The Convention also called upon the circle and SSA leaders to hold similar conventions at their level.

The National Convention was a big success in mobilizing the workers and propagating the demands on revival of BSNL and improving the services.

As per the decision of the Forum, State level conventions were held in most of the states.

Parliament Members approached in support of BSNL Revival

After the Forum leaders  contacted them many Members of Parliament of various parties including S/Shri Basudeb Acharya(CPM), Dr.Sanjeeva Reddy (Congress), Khagan Das (CP(I)M), P.R.Natarajan (CPIM), Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) and others wrote to the Prime Minister and Communications Minister on the revival of BSNL. Questions in the Parliament were also raised by some of these MPs.

Closure of Telegraph Services – Protest by Forum

The Government and the BSNL Management decided to close the centuries old Telegraph Services w.e.f. 15th July 2013, stating that there is no business and it is in loss. The Forum strongly opposed this move and demanded that at least the services should continue in major cities. The Convener Forum Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri visited Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata  Telegraph Offices, held meetings, collected the number of existing telegrams and other particulars and demanded the BSNL Management and Government not to close down Telegrams services, stating that still people are using the same. Press Statements were issued. However, the BSNL Management closed the services on 15th July itself as announced. The demand of the Forum to open a Museum was accepted and the Forum was informed in writing that a Telegraph Museum has been established in Kolkata. (To be continued)

EPFO settles 11.06 Lakh claims in June 2015

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It has been stated by EPFO that it had settled 11.06 lakh claims in June 2015 within 15 days and 38% of them within three days. It is a record. Naturally it has to settle the claims with good speed. But however, it is not known how much is pending.

Department of Posts will be granted Bank Licence – Communications Minister

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The long pending demand of the Department of Posts for Bank Licence may be granted. As per Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Reserve Bank is expected to grant Bank Licence to Department of Posts by September this year. ” This will enable the network of 1,54,000 Post Offices in the country to provide banking service”.

This is good news!

BSNLEU CHQ Leaders will sit on Hunger Strike against victimisation of union workers at Jamshedpur

BSNLEU CHQ has decided to organise Hunger Strike in front of CMD office against the victimisation of union workers and employees by the Sr. GM, BN Singh and demanding immediate vacation of the same. All rules are violated and union workers are victimised and transferred. Despite several discussions, the Corporate office did not intervene and take action against the Sr.GM.

Hence, BSNLEU President Com. Balbir Singh, General Secretary Com. P.Abhimanyu, Dy. General Secretary Com. Swapan Chakraborty and Treasurer Com. Sibal Sengupta will sit on Hunger Strike at Corporate Office from 22nd July demanding vacation of victimisation. Hunger strike will be organised at Ranchi and Jamshedpur also.

We demand that the CMD BSNL / Director(HR) immediately intervene in the matter and settle the issues immediately.

Ms. Sujatha Ray posted as Director (HR) BSNL – Hearty Congratulations!

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Ms. Sujatha Ray, at present working as ED(Finance) has been posted as Director (HR), BSNL.

Our Hearty Congratulations to Ms. Sujatha Ray in her new post!

MNCs and Corporates retrench large number of workers.

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Microsoft, one of the biggest software company, in the world is planning to retrench more employees after its earlier decision to retrench 18,000 employees last year. Another MNC, Nokia, has also similar plans. In a world of increasing unemployment, the job cuts and retrenchment will make the situation worse. (Based on a report in Business Line)

 

IRCTC plans to supply drinking water at Rs. 5/- per litre in Railway Stations

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The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is planning to supply drinking water in the Railway Stations at Rs. 5/- per litre, Rs. 3/- for half-litre and Rs. 1-2 for a glass of water. The travelers can get the water from the wending machines which will be put in the stations.

If this plan is implemented the people will get benefit. Now, they have to pay Rs. 15- 20 for a litre bottle of water. But whether the MNCs and local water-bottle companies will allow such a plan which will reduce their huge profits? Whether the government which is controlled by these corporates allow the same?

 

Huge Demonstration in Athens in support of ‘No’ in Referundum in Greece

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Thousands of workers and people demonstrated in Athens in support of  ‘NO’ to the bail out conditions of the European Union and against austerity measures. The people and the toiling masses are fed up with the restrictions put by by the European Union in connection with the bail out proposals for Greece.

Greece’s Left Party  Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is on mission to save the Greek finance and the jobs.183e0822ba8d9a9e64c01b4c17309ddf

 

Meeting with CMD BSNL on ‘Save BSNL Campaign’

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Com.VAN Namboodiri, Founder Convener of Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations met Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL on 8th July 2015 and discussed about the methods to be adopted in improving the services and strengthening the finances. He stated that continued efforts are being made to get the allotted Rs. 1,250 crores from the DOT and the refund of the Spectrum charges from the government. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri met the Member (Finance), DOT Ms. Annie Moraes  and impressed upon her the urgency of releasing the Rs. 1,250 crores in lieu of ADC for the year 2012-13 at the earliest and paid to BSNL to purchase equipment. She stated that the matter is under active process.