WFTU Calls for support to Nepal Earth Quake Victims

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15 May 2015

NEPAL, SOLIDARITY

The World Federation of Trade Unions -WFTU- is following closely the recent developments in Nepal after the catastrophic earthquakes that left thousands dead and its impact for the working class and the people of the country. The WFTU affiliates in the country have also paid a heavy toll by losing members and trade unionists from this disaster.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the families affected by this tragedy. WFTU has supported morally and materially the Nepali people and union movement after this disaster. The WFTU feels the need to keep solidarizing with the Nepali people in this time of need and calls to support the local union movement and its efforts to rebuild the country and help it recover from this disaster. We support the demands of the Nepali trade unions, of WFTU affiliates in the country, that the Government of Nepal and all concerned agencies, national and international organizations provide assistance in rescue and relief initiatives. We urge the Government of Nepal to ensure the fundamental human needs, while managing post disasters activities. We request that the government takes actions of reconstruction and rehabilitation in a sustainable and permanent way, according to the modern needs of the workers and the people in the country.

Stop this menace of unnecessary medical tests – Society of Doctors

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I am reproducing a news in “Times of India” dated 17-05-2015 below:

“Several doctors from all over India and across disciplines are joining hands to fight against the menace of unnecessary investigations. The Society for Less Investigative Medicine (SLIM), which was initiated last year by a few cardiologists in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, is now becoming a national society of Doctors.”

  • This is a good decision. Many Doctors are regularly prescribing unnecessary medicines as also many unwanted tests only to  get monetary benefits for their hospital,for the medical companies as for themselves. This is anti-social and has to be curtailed strictly. As such, the decision of the society of Doctors itself is worthy of appreciation. Let it not be a declaration alone, but be it implemented, which will give some relief to the patients and their family.

One year of NDA Rule – BSNL Contract labour in Varanasi gets Rs. 750- 1,000 in a month

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On 16th May 2015, the Narendra Modi Government has completed one  full year in office. Many articles and write ups are there in the newspapers and electronic media about the growth and development. But what are the facts?

I shall cite only one example. BSNL Contract workers in Varanasi, the constituency of Shri Narendra Mody, Prime Minister, is brutally exploited and denied of the minimum wage, EPF, ESI etc. The workers are paid around Rs. 1,500 – 3,000 only, whereas, as per the Labour Ministry orders and Minimum wage, he should get about Rs. 7,000. In Varanasi some of the workers are paid as low as only Rs.750.

BSNLCCWF has brought all these to the notice of the Labour Ministry, BSNL Management and even to the notice of the Prime Minister. But so far no relief and remedy.

Today, once again I am writing to the Prime Minister requesting to end this cruel exploitation and  to ensure justice to these low paid workers.

17th May – World Telecommunications Day

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17th May 2015 is the 150th Anniversary of the International Telecommunications union, which started with the First International Telegraph Convention held in 1865.

The growth of the Telecom since then has been phenomenon, especially since the last few decades. Telecom Sector has become one of the most important sector. It is closely connected with the daily routine of the people. Universal connectivity and growth is part of it.

 

Congratulations to W.Bengal Circle – telephones, revenue increased in the last quarter

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I am reproducing below a post in the website of W.Bengal BSNLEU on the improvement of connections etc:

“Income of BSNL West Bengal Circle has increased: “We could render our Service to the subscribers in spite of many odds”—our employees have materialized this slogan of Circle Conference, Krishnagar in reality . During last financial year it was observed that our employees have able to add 16000 New BSNL Customers in our Circle. In the last financial  year We have made a Revenue Growth of 8.34% in WBT Circle. it is learnt that we could earn Rs. 50 Crore more than the last year. We had performed significantly in EB, Marketing etc. It is also learnt that the Revenue earned from L/L almost remained same that of last year but we could not performed up to the mark in GSM segment. Comrades, we should not be complacent, we have to perform better this year.”

My Hearty Congratulations to the workers and leaders of W.Bengal Circle for the improvement. Try more and you will gain more!

Oppose Child labour Bill – CPI(M)

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The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly opposes the Union cabinet’s approval to legalise child labour in “family enterprises”. This is a retrograde measure which legalizes the exploitation of the labour of children below the age of 14. To suggest that “poverty and the social fabric of India” justify the use of child labour is to punish children for their poverty. Instead, people expected this Modi government to take meaningful measures to ameliorate growing poverty of the majority of our people.

Modi government’s economic reforms promote ‘outsourcing’. Many developed industries farm out work to contractors who further farm out work to families who work round the clock at exploitative rates. This is in addition to other trades such as bidi making, agarbattis, carpet weaving etc., where children are forced to work. Since it is impossible to regulate “family enterprises” such an amendment will open the floodgates for the rampant use of child labour.

Coming as it does in the wake of the severe cuts in the budgetary allocations for children’s development, the proposed amendment exposes the callous approach of this government to children’s rights.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls upon all democratic minded citizens to join in forcing the government to withdraw this anti-child amendment to our laws.

Public Sector Banks which helped the country to tide over the 2007-08 recess

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All, including the Government of India, have agreed that in tiding over the financial crisis which started in 2007-08, the Public Sector Banks of India have contributed much. There are 20 PSU Banks, including the State Bank of India. There are around 7,60,000 employees including officers working in these banks.

The Bank Employees are united and have organised several united complete strikes which has completely paralyzed the banking services.

That is why the government is trying to weaken the PSU banks, just like other PSUs.

Warning Bells for BSNL Management and Workers – Connections decreased, market share down

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While the BSNL Management and workers are unitedly trying to strengthen BSNL and also to provide more connections, the statistics as on 31-03-2015 by the TRAI give a non-positive picture. BSNL has gone down on the number of connections and market share. While other operators have increased their connections and market share, the actual connections of BSNL, both in landlines and wireless have gone down. The total market share has down below 10% and in wireless it is around 8% only and in the sixth position.

It is a real warning bell. The government, BSNL Management and employees have to jointly work with maximum effort and turn the trend and bring back BSNL to better position.

The statistics as on 31-03-2015 for BSNL is given below:

Total Wireless Connections: 970 million     BSNL : 77 millions  Market Share  8%

Total connections (Landline and Wireless) : 996.1 million BSNL : 93.24 million Market Share : 9.4%

Broad band connections : 15.54 Millions BSNL: 9.8 millions Market Share : 65%

BSNL Connections declined – Market Share Down

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BSNL released a few figures delineating its market share and tele-density in the country for the first quarter of the year. Out of the total telephone connections of 996.1 million as of March 31st, 2015, 93.24 million telephone connections are provided by BSNL.

According to the data, BSNL occupies fifth position as an operator, with a market share of 9.4 percent. During March 2015, BSNL witnessed a decline of 0.2 percent in market share. Also, for the tenure of 2014-2015, the provider has registered a decline of 3 percent.

Number of telephone connections of the provider has decreased by one million during March 2015. 20 million connections are lost during 2014-2015.

Out of the total 970 million wireless connections, 77 million are provided by BSNL. The operator acquired sixth position as wireless service provider, with a market share of eight percent. Although the wireless industry has grown by 7.2 percent, an 18 million decrease in connection is found for BSNL during 2014-2015.

For broadband (wired) services, 9.98 million out of the 15.54 million are provided by BSNL. BSNL has been at the first position as a broadband (wired) operator with the market share of 65 percent as of February 28th.

As an operator with the total number of telephone connections in a single license area, BSNL holds 2nd position in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala circles, reported BSNL in a release. (Coutesey: Voice and data)

Petrol, Diesel prices hike Rs. 3.13 and Rs. 2.71 respectively for a litre

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From tonight the prices of petrol and diesel will go up substantially. The increase for petrol is Rs. 3.13  and Rs. 2.71 for diesel per litre. The government justifies the hike on the plea that the international price for crude oil has gone up. This is the second time within a short period the prices have been increased.

When the international prices come down, it is not reflected on the price to the consumer since government increase the tax etc. But the prices increase the full burden is put on the shoulders of the customer.