Change of Designation of cadres including TTAs (2)

09 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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Soon after grant of recognition in 2005. BSNL Employees Union has taken up the issue of change of designations of the non-executive cadres. While the management took a negative stand first, they were convinced that it is of utmost importance to give better designations in the present competitive situation. A joint committee with representatives from management as also from the staff side was formed. A lot of discussions took place on the basis of the demand of the staff side. But at a certain stage, the management took the stand that it is going for  a change of designation  for the executive cadres and hence it is possible to finalize the change of designation of non-executives only afterwards. Since there was acute delay, this was included as an issue in the dharna and hunger strike in November 2011. The case was again taken up in the National Council held on 27th February 2012. Before the meeting BSNLEU called upon the employees to suggest suitable proposals which can be present to the committee. Many suggestions came and the issues were discussed in detail in the Joint Committee. The official side was very reluctant on many designations suggested by the staff side. After protracted discussions and hard bargaining certain designations came to the fore for further discussion.

The following are the proposals for the designations of TTA with the upgradation posts:

I.  TTA :    (1) Telecom Associate Engineer (2) Senior Telecom Associate Engineer (3) Senior Telecom Associate Engineer Grade I  and (4) Chief Telecom Associate Engineer.

It was once again called by BSNLEU to all unions and workers to indicate their opinions. This was mostly agreed as per the  comments and opinions received.

We have again asked for an early meeting of the Joint Committee so that the issue can be finalised. But it seems to be that certain sections in the management are having reservation in giving the name of Engineer to non-executive cadres. But we have taken a very strong position in the matter that the Engineer name should be there. We are pressurizing for an early meeting to finalize the issues.

This is the latest position on the issue of Change of Designation for the TTAs.  (to be continued)

The issues of the Direct Recruited TTAs – (1)

09 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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I am happy that many TTA comrades have commented about discriminations against them by the management and certain issues which are pending settlement. These comments are made in connection with the post in which the injustice done to the casual and contract workers were mentioned by me. Before going in to the issues of the DR TTAs, I would like to point out one crucial difference between the issues of the casual/contract labour and the regular worker including the TTAs.

There are settled orders, agreements, court judgments etc. with regard to the regular workers which are implemented by and large. For the regular workers, the fight mainly is for getting  for new wage revisions, promotional policies, other benefits and improving the service conditions etc. This is continuing for decades and will continue further.

With regard to the casual and contract worker the main issue is that even the Acts of the Parliament, the government orders and the decisions of the Labour Courts etc. is not implemented either by the managements or by the contractors. Even the minimum wage decided by the government is not paid in most of the places, though the funds are spent for the same. Social security measures like PF, Insurance etc. are not implemented. Paid weekly off is denied eventhough  order exists for the same. It is inhuman exploitation and violation of rules and regulations. For the casual and contract labour the immediate requirement is at least to implement the existing orders on all the above. They also have got a lot of demands, but the priority is implementation of the existing orders. In the case of regular employees, the orders are implemented, but their genuine demands thave to be achieved.

Why the casual and contract labour could not get the benefits? One is the combined exploitation by the contractor and the management. Second is the lack of knowledge and information about the rights of the workers both by the worker and the management. Third and most important is the absence of a strong union for the casual contract workers. It is only  a few years back that a union for these downtrodden was formed. Through sustained struggles, Parliament March, taking the issues in the Parliamentary Standing Committees, going on for arbitration and also many,, the conditions have at least some what improved. For example in W.Bengal, Kolkatta, T.Nadu and to a certain extent in Kerala, due to continuous struggle many of the orders have been got implemented. Struggles are taking place in other places also where the union is formed and strengthened. Even for implementation of the orders, a strong union is necessary. Why I am writing on the issues of these unorganised section of workers is that they are part of the BSNL workforce and they also have a right to work and get the benefit of the existing rules and laws. I have got full hope that all the regular employees will support the cause of these downtrodden workers. I will be posting on the issues of the TTAs shortly.    (contd..)

Ensure justice to the casual/contract workers.

08 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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ITS, Executives and Non-Executives – all are well organised in BSNL under the banner of their unions/associations. Many struggles and agitations have been conducted jointly and separately and many new demands achieved. Struggles are going on for further settlements.

But what about the thousands of casual and contract workers engaged in BSNL? Leave alone new demands, whether they are getting the minimum wages as per the government of India Acts/Orders for the hard work they are doing? Is Provident Fund Account opened for them as per rules? Are their names in the register of the contractor or the BSNL? Are they getting weekly off with wages as per rules? Are the casual labour being regularised as per rules? NO. In 90% places, the casual/ contract workers are denied all these which are eligible to them as per government rules and regulations. Approximately only half of the eligible wages are paid to them. No social security measures for them. They are being exploited without any limit. Remember, BSNL is a Public Sector Company which should implement the government /PSU rules and can not be a party to this inhuman exploitation.

Let the management and the employees in BSNL not ignore this violation of rules and regulations. Let them be not inhuman towards the plight of the casual and contract workers who are toiling through out the year for the company. It is the duty of the management and the workers to ensure that the casual-contract workers are treated humanly, their full wages are paid and eligible benefits are given to them. The wrong being committed should be corrected. Injustice has to end. Let us make a joint effort.

 

Central TUs to Intensify Struggle – Joint Statment

08 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in TU News - India

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THE central trade unions BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTC, TUCC, AICCTU, UTUC, LPF and SEWA had met on April 26, 2012 under the chairmanship of  Sanjeev Reddy, president of INTUC inNew Delhi

” The meeting expressed its deep concern at the refusal of the central government to call the trade unions for discussion on the demands on which the country had witnessed a massive general strike on February 28, 2012. The indifference of the government towards the unprecedented strike of the working people, once again confirms its gross insensitiveness to the intolerable distress of the working people particularly the contract, unorganised, casual and agricultural workers in the urban and rural areas.

It appears the government is bent upon continuing the same anti-people economic policies, even seeking to enact legislations that run contrary to the interests of the working people. It is also undermining  the public sector of the country.

If the government moves in this direction, the trade unions will organise instantaneous massive protest.The meeting while taking note of the precarious economic situation of the country, lowering of the rate of economic growth, sharp decline in the industrial production, steep rise in the price of essential goods and commodities which shall surely affect the working people, their employment, wage and working conditions, has decided to further intensify the struggle that is continuing over years, and will decide the time and form of the agitation at the earliest, after each of the constituents has deliberated over the issue.”

All the Central Federations and independent Unions etc. should join this massive joint movement to defend the interests of the workers. The success of the 15th December Strike should be carried forward and prepare for bigger struggles to protest the interests of the working class. All the unions/associations in the BSNL have to jointly make efforts for the success of the programmes being planned.

 

 

 

ITS Absorption – BSNL should implement the High Court Order

08 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The judgement of the Delhi High Court for a final disposal of the ITS absorption issue is welcome. For at least the last 5 to 6 years, the issue has been continuing without any final settlement. This has seriously and adversely affected the development and expansion of the company in an unprecedented manner. The company is in loss for the last three years and the top management is answerable. Along with the anti-PSU policy of the government, the uncertainty about the future of the ITS has demoralised the top officers to a very large extend which had its own repercussions in the functioning of  the BSNL. This situation can not continue, if the BSNL has to survive.

It is informed that the BSNL management is trying to approach the Court to get more time for the repatriation, on the plea that the services of these officers are indispensable. Similar was the argument by the Britishers that Indians can not rule the country on their own. It is only a fragile argument. There are sufficient ITS officers who have opted for BSNL who can be posted in the important posts. Even if more is necessary, senior and efficient executives can be posted. The Pitroda committee recommendations in this connection is relevant. Less than 100 senior officers are sufficient to man these posts. If necesaary expeditious recruitment also can be made.

The BSNL management should stand for the company from which they get their salary and not for those who want to leave the company for their career prospects. We don’t have anything against the ITS officers who want to get repatriated for better prospects.  The issue is very simple.  If they want BSNL, BSNL  wants them. If they do not want BSNL, naturally BSNL  also does not want them.

The BSNL Management has to rise to the occasion and has to settle the issue in the interest of BSNL. Any lapse on this will never be condoned or pardoned by the workers or the people of this country who  want BSNL to survive and serve the people.

JAC demands more subsidy for BSNL for loss making landlines.

08 Tuesday May 2012

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In a detailed letter, the Joint Action Committee has requested the Prime Minister to grant sufficient subsidy to the BSNL for maintaining the loss making land connections which are socially necessary  for the universal service for which the government is committed. The amount recommended by the TRAI is only Rs. 1500 crore for this year and Rs. 1250 for next year. Considering the huge loss to the BSNL this should be increased substantially. The JAC has written to the Communications Minister as well as the Finance Minister with copy to the CMD to pursue the matter vigorously. Members of Parliament of different political parties also have been requested to intervene in the matter which is very important for the survival of BSNL.

The full letter is posted in th website of BSNLEU.

Oppose Retrograde Announcements by Finance Minister – CPI(M)

08 Tuesday May 2012

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The announcements made by the Finance Minister in Parliament deferring the implementation of the General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) by one year and diluting many of its provisions is a meek surrender to finance capital, MNCs and the US administration. The US Treasury Secretary had personally lobbied with the Indian Finance Minister to revoke the GAAR, during the latter’s recent US visit in April 2012.   The GAAR are meant to strengthen India’s tax laws to prevent foreign investors from avoiding paying taxes on capital gains in India, using the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with tax havens like Mauritius. It is noteworthy that over 40% of FDI inflows into India are routed through Mauritius, in order to facilitate crores of rupees of tax savings by foreign companies at the cost of the Indian exchequer. GAAR have been implemented in countries across the world to crack down on such tax avoidance, including in developing countries like South Africa and China in recent times. Dilution of the GAAR in India would lead to the loss of thousands of crores of tax revenues for the Government. Other retrograde announcements made by the Finance Minister yesterday include the cut in capital gains tax on private equity, cut in withholding tax on foreign borrowings and withdrawal of tax on property transactions. These are all meant to favour big financiers and real estate players. The government’s excuses on lack of resources to fund subsidies and social welfare scheme ring hollow in the face of such tax largesse for the big businesses.  The these retrograde announcements made by the Finance Minister are to be opposed.

Francois Hollande the new French President – a change for the better?

08 Tuesday May 2012

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France handed the presidency to leftist Francois Hollande, a champion of government stimulus programs who says the state should protect the downtrodden — a victory that could deal a death-blow to the drive for austerity that has been the hallmark of Europe in recent years. Mild and affable, the president-elect inherits a country deep in debt and divided over how to integrate immigrants while preserving its national identity. Markets will closely watch his initial moves as president. Hollande portrayed himself as a vehicle for change across Europe. “In all the capitals … there are people who, thanks to us, are hoping, are looking to us, and want to finish with austerity,” he told exuberant crowds of supporters in a speech early this morning at Paris’ Place de la Bastille. “You are a movement lifting up everywhere in Europe, and perhaps the world.” The party reached into the night on the iconic plaza of the French Revolution, with revelers waving all kinds of flags and climbing the base of its central column. Leftists are overjoyed to have one of their own in power for the first time since Socialist Francois Mitterrand was president from 1981 to 1995. Hollande narrowly defeated the hard-driving, attention-getting Nicolas Sarkozy, an America-friendly leader who led France through its worst economic troubles since World War II but whose policies and personality proved too bitter for many voters to swallow. He will take office no later than May 16. Sarkozy is the latest victim of a wave of voter anger over spending cuts in Europe that has ousted governments and leaders in the past couple of years. Greece, a parliamentary vote yesterday was seen as critical to the country’s prospects for pulling out of a deep financial crisis felt in world markets. A state election in Germany and local elections in Italy were seen as tests of support for the national governments’ policies. In France, with 95 per cent of the vote counted, official results showed Hollande with 51.6 per cent of the vote compared with Sarkozy’s 48.4 per cent, the Interior Ministry said. The turnout was a strong 81 per cent. “Too many divisions, too many wounds, too many breakdowns and divides have separated our fellow citizens. This is over now,” Hollande said in his victory speech, alluding to the divisive Sarkozy presidency. “The foremost duty of the president of the Republic is to unite … in order to face the challenges that await us.” Those challenges are legion, and begin with Europe’s debt crisis. Hollande has said his first act after the election will be to write a letter to other European leaders calling for a renegotiation of a budget-trimming treaty.

CMD says APO issued; but no equipment at field level

07 Monday May 2012

Posted by in BSNL News

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 The CMD had told the JAC leaders in the last meeting a few days back that Advance Purchase Order (APO) has been issued for telephone instruments, GSM lines, cables, modems etc. But while contacting with the field officers they are not aware of the same. Neither any Purchase Order is issued by most of the circles. What is the use of APO if no Purchase Order is issued and the equipment are not made available. Circle /SSA unions should pressurize the field management to ensure that the equipment are purchased and utilised without any delay.

 

JAC demands more amount in-lieu of ADC

07 Monday May 2012

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The JAC in letters to the Minister, Secretary DOT etc. has demanded that more subsidies should be granted to the BSNL for the losses being incurred for maintaining loss making land lines in villages than the amount of Rs. 1500 crores and Rs. 1250 crores recommended by the TRAI for the next two years. JAC has also asked the BSNL management to aggressively seek such assistance backed with facts and figures.