Employees run the closed Greek TV channel

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It is a welcome news. The staff of the Greek TV channel, which was closed by the government in implementation of austerity measures is still functioning uninterrupted. Though the government had closed, the employees of the company have decided to run the show. The TV channel functions as usual. The employees with more commitment continues working. This is a wonderful news! A report from Athens by news agency AFP is given below. Our congratulations to the workers who stood strong and defended their organisation:

” Athens, Jun 30  Since Greece’s government abruptly pulled the plug on state broadcaster ERT, the sprawling TV complex has turned into a unique experiment in self-rule where staff are working for free but with more passion than ever. Under pressure from its international creditors to cut costs and reform the public sector, Greece’s fragile government shut down ERT and made its 2,700 employees redundant overnight. Many will not return when a slimmed-down version of the broadcaster, which the government agreed to following a public outcry, eventually goes back on air. But in the meantime, employees are going it alone and revelling in the spirit of independence and solidarity filling the studios and busy corridors of ERT’s headquarters in suburban Athens. “There is continuous flow from the entire team here, and an emotional contribution from all,” Fanis Papathanassiou, an ERT foreign affairs journalist and anchorman said. “Not just journalists but producers, editors, assistants, technicians, makeup staff: everyone is here, helping to put this product on the air,” he told AFP. News bulletins are on at an unchanged pace of five times daily and the intervening hours are filled with guest interviews, documentaries and support concerts by a variety of artists. The building is clean — cleaner than before, staff note — the control room is bustling and staff take turns at the entrance to guard what the government calls an unlawful “occupation” of public property. “We call this operational self-management,” Papathanassiou countered. A committee of journalists oversees day-to-day business, from assigning shifts, to preparing newscasts and inviting talk show guests. Rogue ERT broadcasts have continued with support from the European Broadcasting Union despite a digital blackout on ERT’s frequencies by the government. “For the past 18 days, we have shown what public radio and television is all about,” said Chryssa Roumeliotis, a political journalist and news presenter. On June 11, police were dispatched to Mount Hymettus above Athens to silence ERT’s signal after the government enacted an emergency law to shut down the company. The conservative-led government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said it was the only way to reform ERT after successive efforts had been thwarted by the company’s powerful union.

 

Bank Unions demand wage agreemenmt from 2012

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The Bank Employees Unions have demanded for early wage agreement with effect from 01-01-2012 as per the five-year agreement. Their wages were revised  in 2007 with 17.5 % raise. The Bank Unions are also demanding that the DA increase should be on month to month basis, since the price of essential commodities are rising every month.

Central TUs write to Prime Minister on Minimum Wage and other Demands

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The 11 Central trade Unions which called for the 48 hours strike focussing the 10 demands they have raised have written to the Prime Minister on 23rd May 2013 seeking his intervention for settling the issues raised by them.

The Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Defence Minister A.K.Antony, met with the Central Trade Union leaders on 22nd May, in which the leaders focussed the main issues of the strike as also pointed out in the 45th Session of the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) in which the Prime Minister was also present.

In the letter to PM, the CTUs stated:

” On being urged by the Central Trade Unions for concrete response on some of the demands like Minimum Wages of not less than Rs. 10,000, universal social security cover to all workers, assured pension for the entire working population, same wage for same work as regular workers for the contract workers in the respective ministry/establishments, concrete programmes for implementation of labour laws etc. Chairman of the meeting conveyed on behalf of the Group of Ministers that some time is needed for internal discussion and hey will revert back to the trade unions shortly within a month’s time.

“We like to impress upon you that all Central Trade Unions  in the country have been jointly pressing for these demands in the last three years or so through numerous memorandums and various programmes observed jointly throughout the country.

“In the context of the step for bipartite discussion with the Central Trade Unions already initiated  by you, we urge upon your effective intervention so that these long pending just demands of the workers are sorted out through dialogue with the forum constituted by you within a month’s time as urged upon by the concerned GoM, in the interests of the working people and the nation.”

While the central government is very quick to resolve even the unjustified demands of the corporates by modifying the Tax rules, why it is taking so much time for settling the just demands of the working class raised by them and on which about 12crores workers have gone on strike for 48 hours?

Roll out of Optic Fibre Cable Network for Defence

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It has been reported in the press that the Defence Forces are having difficulty due to the non-roll-out of the OFC network, which has been entrusted to DOT, who in turn has allotted the project to BSNL. It was to have been completed by now, for compensating for the release of important spectrum by the Defence to DOT.

BSNL is reported to have floated tender for the OFC in 2010 which was cancelled. Another tender in 2012 was also cancelled. The result is that the network is not rolled out so far.

It is necessary to find out why this important work is not done and who is responsible. The report puts the blame on BSNL. But what is the reason is to be found out. Further the BSNL Management should take immediate action for finalising the same, since it is concerned with Defence.

Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has written to CMD BSNL with copy to Secretary DOT in the matter.

CPI(M) Oppose Cabinet Decision on price increase of gas

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The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly opposes the Cabinet decision to double the price of natural gas, a major input for the production of fertilizers  and power, from 4.2 dollars to 8 dollars per mmbtu. This will have a cascading impact increasing prices and burdening common people, while the main benefit will accrue to a single corporate house.

Reliance, which is virtually blackmailing the country by keeping production of natural gas in the Kg-D6 gas basin below the stated target till the price is increased, will be the main beneficiary. It is estimated that every dollar increase in gas price will increase Reliance’s profits by at least 74 million dollars.

The hike is irrational even in comparison to gas exporting countries where  the price of domestic gas is much lower.  For example, in Gulf countries, the price is only $ 1 per mmbtu, in Egypt $ 2.57, in Nigeria $ 0.11, in Australia $ 5 and in Indonesia around $ 1.

The additional subsidy the Government would have to bear at present prices of fertilizer and gas based power is estimated to be to the extent of 71,250 crore rupees for a five year period. This Government which claims it does not have the funds to ensure a universalized food security system, is prepared to subsidise the profits of a powerful corporate house.

The Government will pass on much of this burden to the common people. Farmers will have to pay more for fertilizers, the price of CNG gas used by public transport in many cities will also be hiked as will electricity tariffs.

Natural gas is a natural resource which belongs to the country. It cannot be arbitrarily handed over for super profits to corporates. The  CPI(M) demands that the decision for the price increase should be kept in abeyance and fully discussed in Parliament.

Conciliation by CLS on strike issues

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The conciliation meeting by the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) on the 12th June Strike issues between BSNL and Forum of BSNL Employees / Associations scheduled for today, 28th June 2013 stands postponed as per information from CLC. Next date will be fixed and intimated.

4% IDA increase from July 2013

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As per the calculations IDA will increase 4% w.e.f. 1st July 2013. The total IDA will come to 74.9 + 4.0 = 78.9%. This will be applicable to pensioners also. Orders are yet to be issued.

BSNL for Better Service (8) – Top Management should belong to BSNL, not on deputation.

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One important hurdle in the growth of BSNL is the sad fact that the top management of BSNL who has to plan and execute important decisions does not belong to BSNL, but is on deputation. While the 3.5 lakhs executives and non-executives got absorbed in BSNL after corporatisation, the 1600 and odd ITS officers continued on deputation, except very few who got absorbed.

All top positions in BSNL like Chief General Managers, General managers etc. are occupied by ITS officers. They continue to be in the government service. This anomalous situation had a very unhealthy environment for the growth of BSNL.  Our strong opinion is that the BSNL should be managed by officers who belong to the organisation itself. That will result in more commitment and improve the functioning of the company itself. At present the future career prospects of the top management officers are not related with the growth of BSNL, but rest with the government, whether the company grows or not.  We had suggested that new recruitment should take place to these posts and also that capable and eligible officials working in BSNL  should be promoted to these posts. This will bring both experience and expertise.

BSNL was having about Rs.40,000 crore at its disposal when the company was formed. If this reserve has been used effectively for expansion and development, the present situation would have been different. In short we want  that BSNL should be managed by a top management committed to the growth of the company.

 

 

 

 

Spectrum for whom, Defence or telcos?

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While the Defence Department has insisted on keeping some of the important spectrum for defence purposes with it, the private telcos are pressurising the government to transfer the same for being auctioned for providing services. The spectrum is with the defence  as per an earlier agreement with the Telecom and Defence departments.

While it is necessary that spectrum is required for providing service to the people, it is also necessary that the defence should have sufficient spectrum for  defence purposes. Getting more money in the auction alone can not be the criteria for deciding the issue.