The draft of the National Telecom Policy 2011 is being finalised by the Ministry of Communications. It is expected that it may be ready within one or two weeks.The Joint Action Committee had submitted a detailed note in the matter to the Communications Minister two months back. An additional note will be given within a few days considering the latest developments. Comrades and friends who have got any important points in the matter can intimate the same so that they can also be included if found appropriate. The policy will include issues like spectrum allotment, licencing conditions, pricing etc.

The 5 Cuban prisoners languishing in US jails are Hernadez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez. Their crime? Defending Cuba against the attacks from the USA. It is alleged that they shot down two US aircrafts which have provocatively and continuously crossed the Cuban airspace despite warning by the Cuban Government with the intention of spying and attacking. They were some how caught by USA. Hernandez is punished with double life plus 15 years and others between 15 and thirty years. The trail by the US court has been completely one sided and with out giving reasonable opportunity to defend themselves.
Many countries of the world have been demanding the release of these 5 Cubans imprisoned in the US jails. The WFTU has put it as one of the demands in the Action Day programme of 3rd October.

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) is one of the major trade union organisations with affiliated unions in more than 120 countries. As many other world organisations like UNO, ILO etc. , WFTU was also formed after the victory of the Allied forces led by USSR-USA-Britain over the Axis forces led by fascist Hitler in the II World War. Thus WFTU was formed on 3rd October 1945. Trade Unions from many countries got affiliated with WFTU within a short time. It was the prime trade union organisation in the world.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, for a few years, WFTU passed through a period of crisis. However after the 15th Congress in Havana (Cuba) in 2005 many of the trade unions started coming back. By the 16th Congress at Athens in 2011, WFTU has come with more vigour and has again taken its rightful position in the world trade union movement.
The 66th Birthday of WFTU is being observed with an “International Action Day” all over the world with the most appropriate demands of the period like Ensuring of social security for all workers, Right to trade union and to collective bargaining, Better wages for a decent living, 35 hours a week with 7hours on five days, Solidarity with the people of Palestine and Freedom for the 5 Cubans jailed by USA. The day is to be observed as “International Action Day” by holding meetings, rallies etc. focussing the demands.
In Delhi this is being jointly organised at Rajendra Bhawan, opposite to the AITUC office near ITO. All over the country this will be jointly observed. BSNL Employees Union is part of this great movement.

Workers all over the world will be observing 3rd October 2011 as International Action Day as per the call of the World federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the mighty organisation of the world wide TUs. It has called upon to conduct meetings, demonstrations and Marches on the day on the issues of the working class. The demands to be focussed on the Action Day are as follows:
1. Government funded social security to all.
2. Right to Trade Union and collective bargaining
3. Better wages for decent living
4. Working Hours – 35 hours per week and 5 days work
5. Solidarity with the people of Palestine and
6. Freedom for 5 cubans illegally imprisoned by USA
All though many countries have ratified the ILO Conventions on Trade Union Rights and collective bargaining, India has not ratifed the same so far. It is a shame for the Indian rulers that they don’t care for the rights of the workers.
BSNLEU has also called for the observation of the day jointly with the other organisations. In Delhi it is being organised at Rajendra Bhawan, opposite AITUC office near ITO at 04.00 PM. All over India the Day will be observed.

It is reported that the BSNL wants to surrender the BWA spectrum which it was compelled to take by the Government that too payng high charges compared to the private operators. Further while the private operators were granted 2.3Ghz band, BSNL was allowed 2.5Ghz band which is non-standard and not compatible with the future requirement of the spectrum.
The unions had already pointed out this fact, but the management tried to justify the allotment.
The government should allot better Spectrum band or it should be allowed to surrender it and get the Rs. 9000 crore (appx) refunded from the DOT.

The Maruti Workers strike continuing for the last many days have been settled and the workers have joined duty by signing the bonds as demanded by the management. The 18 trainees against whom disciplinary action is taken have been taken back. But 44 regular workers who have been suspended are yet kept outside.
While the full details are yet known, the unholy conspiracy by the Maruti Management and the Haryana Government has been exposed. The Haryana government did not register the newly formed union on the pressure of the Maruti Management. Instead of implementing the instructions on labour dispute the government has completely sided with the management which is undesirable.But the obstinate and anti-worker position taken by the management may create further agitations. In my opinion the management should take back all the suspended workers and discuss with the newly formed union and sort out the pending issues.

The CNG price has been increased by Rs.2 per kg in Delhi. This is the 4th time that the price of CNG has been increased in this financial year.
In Delhi the petrol price is Rs. 66.84 for a litre and diesel Rs. 40.91 per litre.
The Central Government is simply looking and smiling. It is not worried about the miseries of the people who are suffering due to the price rise. It is happy that more revenue will come to it through the increased taxes. It is not interested in concern of the people but only on what it gets. A reason for the number of scams the government is accused of.

The severe criticism from the opposition political parties and the challenge by the social activists asking Planning Commission Chairman and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Dy. Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia to live on Rs. 26 / Rs. 32 a day as per their affidavit to the Supreme Court on BPL status has compelled Montek Singh to call a meeting of the experts and those opposed the affidavit. A meeting is now fixed with Jairam Ramesh, Rural Development Minister, and Planning Commission Members Dr. Abhijit Sen, Dr. Saumitra Chaudhuri and Mihir Shah. All these have opposed the affidavit. Mr. Montek is in an effort to wiggle out of the controversy which has been created by him.

BSNL Management has invited Joint Action Committee (JAC) to discuss on the issues raised in the 10th October 2011 strike notice. The meeting with the JAC is fixed at 1100 hours on 3rd October in the Board Room.
But in the mean time the BSNL Board is reported to have approved the VRS scheme as recommended by the Sam Pitroda Committee and the BRPSE.
All these issues will come up for discussion in the meeting on 3rd October.