Forum writes to Communications Minister on Consultant’s report on BSNL

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL News

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As decided in the meeting of the Forum held on 4th August, the Forum has finalised the letter to Communications Minister seeking him to reject the report of the Consultant M/s Deloitte since it is neither beneficial to BSNL nor to the workers. The letter will be signed by the unions/associations and sent to the Minister. The letter is given below:

FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.
Forum/GL 05.08.2014

To

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad,
Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT,
Government of India
20, Ashoka Road, Sanchar Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110 001

Respected Sir,

Sub: – Recommendations of M/s Deloittee consultants on restructuring, financial viability and revival of BSNL – reg.

On behalf of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations representing the BSNL employees, we would like to bring to your kind notice about the report of the M/s Deloittee consultants, which if implemented, will seriously and adversely affect BSNL services and it’s employees.

The consultant M/s Deloittee was appointed by BSNL Management to improve the financial viability and revival of BSNL. Neither the Unions / Associations of employees, who are important stake holders of the Company, have been informed about the appointment of consultant, nor were called to give their opinions or suggestions. This is completely different from the past, when the opinion / suggestions were sought from the Unions / Associations and issues presented. It is not understood why the Unions / Associations are bye-passed.

A perusal of the report makes it clear, that the intention is to retrench more than 70,000 Non-Executive workers, introduce contract engagement of executives, deny career progression to Non-Executives and so on. The basis on which the consultants have proposed the report is that the loss for BSNL is due to the large wage bill. The assumption is completely baseless.

It can be seen from the annual reports that the wages of employees have not increased for the last few years, but has reduced marginally. The point that wage bill has increased to 50% of the revenue is solely due to the fact that the Revenue has come down from about Rs.40,000 a year to Rs.26,000 or so due to non-procurement of equipment like mobile lines, cables, telephone instruments, broadband modem, drop wire etc. as also inefficient management. Had the revenue increased to Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 or so, the % of wage bill would have reduced to 25% or less.

Instead of procuring equipment and streamlining the organisation, the consultant has suggested to reduce the present 330 + SSAs to a mere 167, concentrating powers at circle level, closure of telecom factories etc. which are completely counter productive. The govt.’s social obligation to provide connection in rural and remote areas seems to be completely forgotten.

In these circumstances, the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations strongly oppose the M/s Deloittee report. We request the Communications Minister to ensure that the anti-BSNL, anti-worker report is rejected and that fruitful discussions are held with the Unions / Associations to improve financial viability and a better service to the people.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Press report of Forum published in Ganashakti

04 Monday Aug 2014

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INN
New Delhi, August 4: V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations has issued the following statement:
The Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations, representing the two and half lakh employees in BSNL, strongly oppose the anti-worker and anti-BSNL report presented by the M/s Deloitte Consultants on the financial viability and revival of BSNL.
The report has been finalized without even consulting the Unions / Associations which represent the workers and are important stake holders. The Unions / Associations are on the crusade for the improvement, expansion of the services, financial viability etc. and have been presurising the Govt. and Management for urgent procurement of required mobile and other equipments. The BSNL Management and the Consultants have been dealing the issue in an arbitrary manner.
The portion of the report which is available with us, gives a shocking picture. It is proposed to reduce the present 330 + SSAs in to 167 Area offices and reduce the non-executive staff like RM, TM, Sr.TOA etc who are interacting with the subscribers and attending field level work to less than half of the present number of about 2 lakhs. This will result in deterioration of the services. Public will be put to much difficulties.
There has not been any mentionable recruitment to the above cadres and after formation of BSNL in 2000, more than one lakh thirty thousand workers have retired without any new replacement. Further, reduction will have drastic repercussion on the service.
It is understood that the Consultant had recommended to close or privatize the telecom factories under BSNL, which are manufacturing telecom equipments and infrastructure for many decades even during the British days. There has been much pressure from the private companies on the govt. for closure of these telecom factories so as to increase their business and profits.
The consultant recommends more and more outsourcing, instead of utilizing the available manpower, which will result in unnecessary expenditure. This is also meant for cheap labour of contract workers instead of regular employees.
The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations strongly oppose the M/s. Deloitte recommendation and demand the BSNL Management and Govt. to immediately discuss with the Unions / Associations, before any decision is taken in the matter. (Ganashakti)

Solidarity of Greece Workers to Palestine

04 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in TU News - International, TUI of P&R, WFTU

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Greece: Palestine solidarity activity held by PAME and WFTU
01 Aug 2014
GREECE, PALESTINE, SOLIDARITY

On July 31st, the All Workers Militant Front (PAME) of Greece and the WFTU held in Athens, Greece, at the national football stadium of Aegaleo, a massive event of solidarity with the People of Palestine. The act of solidarity was attended buy thousands of workers and included a solidarity soccer match and cultural acts.

Valentin Pacho Quispe, Deputy General Secretary of the WFTU, the consul of the Palestinian Authority in Greece Mohhamed Abu Apha, Yota Tavoulari, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical workers of Greece and Mohamed Iqnaibi, representative of the General Union of Palestinian Workers (GUPW) were present and addressed the meeting. Also, the Federation of Palestinian Women sent a solidarity message that was read during the activity.

The WFTU was represented by Valentin Pacho Quispe, who delivered the following address:

“I’m here with you on behalf of the World Federation of Trade Unions to express the feeling of the 90 million workers from the 5 continents of solidarity with the people of Palestine and energetic condemnation of the genocide against the Palestinian brothers perpetrated by the imperialist government of Israel.

The working class and the peoples of the world, with great indignation hold large demonstrations condemning the criminal government of Israel. The unions affiliated to the WFTU on every continent hold actions of solidarity with the Palestinian people and demand punishment for those responsible -for government of Israel- for crimes against humanity.

Also, many governments – by the demand of the workers in Latin America, as my country Peru, have withdrawn their ambassadors from Israel in an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people and protest against the criminal actions of the Zionist government of Israel.

The people of Palestine are not alone, they have the solidarity of the peoples of the world. WFTU condemns the imperialist governments of the United States and the countries of the European Union, these hypocrites who shamelessly support the Zionist and racist government of Israel.

The struggle and resistance of the Palestinian people will be victorious. Because when you fight for a just cause, it ends in victory. So the WFTU will always stand by the Palestinian people, until they gain their own independent and sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem.

Honor and glory to the resistance of the Palestinian people!
Long live international solidarity!”

Organise Massive Protest Demonstrations on 12th August 2014 against anti-worker Consultant report

04 Monday Aug 2014

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

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The Meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations held today, 4th August 2014 has decided to organise massive demonstrations on 12th August at Corporate Office, Circles and SSAs against the anti-worker, anti-BSNL recommendations of the Consultant M/s Deloitte appointed by the BSNL to recommend on the financial viability and revival of BSNL. The recommendations are intended to retrench more than 70,000 non-executive employees, reducing the number of SSAs from 330 to 167, concentrating the work to Circle offices, engaging of Off Roll ( contract ) Executives etc. There will be no promotional prospects for the non-executives, and almost the same for the executives. Neither the Consultant, nor the BSNL Management has taken the employees or their unions/associations in to confidence in the matter, keeping these important shareholders completely in the dark. This seems to be a dark conspiracy. Naturally the employees are enraged. The decision of the Forum to organise mighty demonstrations on 12th August, when the meeting of the Heads of Circles is being held in Corporate Office, Delhi is most appropriate.
The Forum has already written to the management to furnish a full copy of the report and demanded discussion on the report. The Forum is seeking a meeting with the Communications Minister also.
The Joint Action Committee /Forum has earlier defeated such attacks on the workers like VRS and Disinvestment through united struggles. This time also it will be not be different. But unity and determination is a must. Let us meet each and every BSNL employee and prepare them for sustained struggles to achieve victory.

Insurance Bill will not be taken today in Rajya Sabha

04 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, PSU, TU News - India

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The strong protest and opposition from the opposition parties had its effect. The Insurance Bill proposing to increase FDI from 25% to 49% in the Insurance Sector, which was proposed to be taken today in the Rajya Sabha, is not in the list of bills for today. The NDA Government could not get sufficient numbers to support in Rajya Sabha where it is in minority.
The All India Insurance Employees Association has called for strike on the day on which the Insurance Bill will be taken for discussion. BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF have given full support to the decision and will organise support actions.

Penalty not paid by Telecom Companies

03 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL News, Telecom

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NEW DELHI: Telecom operators such as Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, RCom, Aircel, Tata Tele and BSNL have not paid penalties totalling Rs 2,116.95 crore levied on them for non-compliance of subscriber verification rules that are important for national security, CAG said in its report.

“We further noticed that out of Rs 2506.80 crore of penalty levied by the DoT and the TERM Cells during 2009 to 2012 for defective CAFs, the service providers had paid only Rs 389.85 crore,” the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its latest report.

As per data provided by the Department of Telecom (DoT) to CAG, RCom has maximum outstanding due of Rs 594.76 crore, followed by Airtel Rs 502.8 crore, Aircel Rs 402.31 crore, BSNL Rs 269.42 crore, Vodafone Rs 203.04 crore, Idea Cellular Rs 74.15 crore and Tata Teleservices (TTSL) Rs 70.47 crore. (Report from Economic Times)

Meeting of Forum on 4th August 2014

03 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLEU, Forum, Telecom

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An Emergent Meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations will be held at 04.00 AM on 4th August 2014 at BSNL MS office, New Delhi to discuss about the report of the M/s Deloitte Consultants on the financial viability and revival of BSNL.

It is to be noted that neither the BSNL Management nor the consultants have taken the unions/associations in to confidence in appointment of Consultant, discussion or in finalising the recommendations. This is an arbitrary method entirely different from the past. The Unions/associations were given opportunity to discuss and present their views before the consultants, like M/s KPMG etc.

As per available reports on the recommendations, the same are against the workers. About 70,000 workers will be made surplus. Network, Transmission etc. will be shifted to circles from SSAs. 330+ SSAs will be reduced to just 167. Instead of recruitment, the roadmap is for outsourcing. It is recommended to close the Telecom Factories. Whether the report is for revival or for favouring the private companies to finish BSNL?

The meeting of the Heads of Circles is scheduled  on 12-13 August 2014 to discuss the recommendations. Before that,  the Forum has to meet and finalise its  views and plan to safeguard the interests of the workers. There can not be any delay in the matter.

 

 

Gaza Massacre – This Murder of innocents should end

03 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in General, WORLD NEWS

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Despite the strong condemnation by the world nations, Israel is continuing the massacre of the Palestinians in the Gaza strip. In the name of attacking the Hamas, the schools, hospitals, relief camps etc. are bombed killing hundreds of innocent children, women, patients and other civilians. The casualty has reached more than 2,000 and thousands more are wounded. This is not a war where two armies fight each other. This is  most cruel murder of those who can not defend themselves.

There is no justification for this massacre. The United Nations should not only condemn the attack, but also should decide to take necessary measures to save the lives of the Palestinians. US Government is as guilty as  Israel in this massacre since it did not only not condemn the attack, but has decided to support Israel with money and weapons.

Where is India when the huge majority of the world nations are condemning the Israeli attack? India should not be silent for whatever considerations, including its close connection with US, but should strongly condemn the Israeli attack on Gaza and the people.

7% DA Increase for CG Employees from 1st July 2014

02 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in CG Employees

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As per Ministry of Labour, there is 7% DA increase for central Government employees form 1st July 2014, making the total DA to 107%.

The Confederation of central Govt. Employees have demanded Merger of DA with Pay. The issue has also been brought to the notice of the VII CPC.