Greece Workers Protest Against Pension Cuts

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in TUI of P&R

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Pensioners’ Unions Action Day in Athens, Greece

Pensioners’ Unions organised an Action Day on
Wednesday, December 10th, 2015  demanding restoration of
pensions that were cut by the government in the last year.
They organised protests outside government building and
in Athens. They organised a demonstration in front of the
Ministry of Finance with live concert and food.
Their demands are:
• Abolish now all antilabour laws
• Restoration of all cuts that were made in pensions.
• Restoration of 13th and 14th pension (Christmas and holiday’s pension)
• Immediate payment of all pensions.
• Restoration of programs of social tourism and balneotherapy.
• Free public healthcare.
(Report Received from Quim Boix, General Secretaryu, TUI (P and R), WFTU

CPI(M) Condemns Forced Conversions

11 Thursday Dec 2014

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New Delhi, December 11: The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the religious conversion of around 300 Muslims, mostly poor migrants from Bihar and West Bengal in Agra through false enticement, force and intimidation by the RSS/BJP.

The RSS/BJP leaders have declared their intent to organise similar conversions of Muslims and Christians in Ghazipur, Aligarh and other places in Uttar Pradesh. Such type of conversions using force and intimidation will lead to communal tensions across the country.

Such forced conversions are criminal offences and all those indulging in or encouraging such religious conversions should be prosecuted. The Polit Bureau urges upon both the state government in Uttar Pradesh and the central government to take firm steps to stop such conversions.

 

Mighty Demonstrations held today on ” Demands Day”

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

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Reports are reaching from many centres about the observation of the “Demands Day” programme today by organising mighty demonstrations as per the call of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations.

In BSNL Corporate Office, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, a well attended Lunch Hour Demonstration was held with participation from NTR and Corporate Office. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, welcomed all and spoke about why the Forum has decided for the agitational programmes culminating in an indefinites Strike from 17th March 2015. The Government is moving to close many PSUs including BSNL and this has to be resisted. BSNL has to be saved and strengthened. He explained the issues included in the Strike Notice and called upon the workers to fully participate. Coms. C.Singh Chairman, Forum (NFTE) P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), A.A.Khan (SNEA), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), K.G.Jayaraj (AIBDPA) and RS Chouhan, CS BSNLEU addressed. The Circle Secretaries of NTR and Corporate Office deserve congratulation for the good campaign and participation of the workers in the programme.

The next programme called by the Forum is the Three Days Dharna from 6th to 8th January 2015. Maximum members should be mobilised for the mass Dharna.

News about reducing Retirement Age from 60 to 58

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in BSNL News, BSNLEU

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A lot of reports are coming in the news papers about certain proposal of the Central Government to reduce the retirement age of its employees from 60 to 58. The same kind of news are spread about the retirement age of BSNL Employees also.

It is stated that this will increase employment chances to young generation. It is also mentioned that it will reduce government expenditure. Some other justifications are also spelt out.

We are not in a position to state what exactly is the present position of the government’s proposal. But as far as the employees are concerned, they are completely against the reduction of retirement age from the present 60 to 58. It is to be remembered that when the government increased the retirement age from 58 to 60, it was not the demand of the employees or their unions. It was a decision purely by the Government. In fact, the Confederation of the Central Government Employees and Workers opposed it, stating that it will adversely affect the employment opportunities. Despite the opposition, the government implemented it.

Now, again to restore the 58 as retirement is not practicable. The employees and the unions are opposed to it. The reasons are simple. All the employees,at least those who are going to retire within 5-10 years, have planned the retirement at 60th age and also financial adjustments. They have taken advances, they have planned construction of houses, marriage for their children etc. etc. based on the present retirement age. How all these can be changed in one stroke of the pen? You can reduce the retirement age, if the government is very particular, to only those who are being recruited now. The Pension rules were changed only for the new recruits.

But, if the government proposes to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58, despite all these, the employees are going to resist it. As far as the BSNL employees are concerned there will be serious opposition from the employees and their unions. This attack on the employees will not be tolerated and struggles will be launched.

 

TDSAT cancels fines on Airtel and Vodafone

11 Thursday Dec 2014

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In the new dispensation it is always the corporates which get the upper hand. The latest is the decision of the TDSAT setting aside the fines put on Airtel and Vodafone for illegally providing roaming in circles where they did not have licence. Airtel was fined Rs. 650  crore and Vodafone Rs. 100 crore by DOT for causing huge loss to the government and BSNL.

Setting aside the DOT decision, the TDSAT allowed costs at Rs.25,000 for each of the petitioners ie, Airel and Vodafone.

Is it because the government and BSNL did not argue the case effectively or some compromise? Any way it is a sad affair, the complainant becoming he victims before the law.

Rs.36,000 for air travel from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram?

11 Thursday Dec 2014

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It is unbelievable! Rs.36,000 air fare from Delhi to Trivandrum. It is economic class, not executive or first class.
I wanted to go to Thiruvananthapuram from Delhi on 17 December evening  by AIr India flight and the travel agent told me the charge is Rs.36,000, 
almost four times the normal fare. I enquired about another flight and the charge is Rs.17,000.
Oh! It is December Holidays and X-mas!
This is too much! There should be some limit to the high and intolerable charges.

Attempt to Suicide is not a crime now

11 Thursday Dec 2014

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The Central government has decided that attempt to commit suicide will not be treated as a cime and article 309 of Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) will be deleted.
This is a good decision.In many countries attempt to commit suicide was never a crime.

Demands Day on 11 December 2014

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

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The  Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations had called upon the BSNL employees to organise Demands Day on 11 December 2014 on the issue of REVIVAL OF BSNL demanding the government and management to take immediate action on the points raised by it. This is the first of the various programme planned by Forum, which will culminate in an Indefinite Strike from 17 March 2015, if the demands are not met by then.
One thing I want to impress upon the workers and leaders. This is a ‘Do or Die’ crusade for the Revival of our beloved BSNL, the organisation, which gave us the means of our subsistence. It is the source of our bread and butter. Through sustained and determined struggles we could defeat VRS and Disinvestment in BSNL so far. The reported decision of government to privatise BSNL is staring at the 2.36 lakh workers of BSNL. If we can not defeat privatisation, the workers will be in the streets. ‘Now or Never’ seems to be the situation facing us.
This  is not a ritual agitation. It is a fight to the last. Four years, BSNL is in loss and further loss may get us in to trouble being declared as a loss making company and referred to BRPSE. Further wage revision will  become difficult, salary will not be regularly paid, all unexpected difficulties will come. If we do not want all these, each and every one of us should be fully involved in this struggle for existence. Any slackness will be too costly.
Let the first show of strength be the Demonstration tomorrow.  Let at least 70 or more percent of the total workforce be present at the demonstration to show management and govt. that we mean business.
It is also significant that we are starting the agitation on the 40th death anniversary of Com.KG Bose, the great revolutionary leader.
Towards Struggle to Save BSNL and its Workers!

Parliament Committee approves Insurance Bill

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

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Today the Parliament Select Committee has recommended the Insurance Bill proposing increase of FDI from 26 to 49 per cent. The Congress members supported the bill making it easy for  the government. CPI(M) and 3 other parties opposed.

The MNCs, foreign financial investors and US government have been putting much pressure on the govt. of  India to increase FDI in Insurance sector. Now they will be very happy.
But the  working class will continue to oppose this anti- PSU and anti- people move. Our full support to the Insurance workers im their struggle against the amendment to Insurance Act.

Meeting at Bareilly

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

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A well attended meeting of BSNLCCWF was held at Bareilly on 10th December 2014. More than 300 comrades participated including workers from nearby disyricts. Com. Surjan Singh, Dist. President, BSNLEU presided. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLCCWF
inaugurated the meeting and spoke about the various issues facing the workers. He spoke about the agitation of casual contract workers, employees and pensioners about the Parliament March and connected matters. The coming agitation to Save BSNL, including proposed indefinite strike was reported. Com. Ansar Ali, Circle President, BSNLEU, Com. Upender Singh Teotia, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, leaders of AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF addressed.
The meeting honoured the leaders. The meeting also decided to make successful all the programmes of the three umions.
Com. Ashraf Ali Dist.Secretary Bareilli and his team made all arrangements in a very good way. There is no doubt now that BSNLCCWF will be stregthened in UP(West).