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MASSIVE DHARNA DEMANDING IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT OF 78.2% IDA MERGER STATRTED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

Reports are pouring in about the Mass Dharna being held today , the 10th March, 2016 at all places throughout the country by AIBDPA. The discrimination and lethergic attitude of the authorities in granting 78.2% IDA merger to BSNL pensioners retired after 10-06-2013 has compelled the organisation to give another call for struggle, it is the 7th for this demand.The anger, anguish and resentment of the affected pensioners have reflected in the massive participation of pensioners in the Dharna every where.

Com. C. C. Pillai, former Secretary General inaugurating the Dharna at Kollam.

"Com.C.C.Pillai ,former Secretary General, NFPE inaugurating the Dharna at Kollam, Kerala"
"A view of the participants in Kollam"
Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, Patron AIBDPA addressing the Dharna at Trivandrum.
DHARNA AT VELLORE, TAMIL NADU.

VELLORE DISTRICT OBSERVED INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IN AN IDEAL MANNER.

A NOBLE WAY OF CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.
AIBDPA, Vellore District Branch has observed the International Women’s Day in a noble and ideal manner on 08-03-2016. The members of the branch led by District Secretary Com.Jothisuthandiranathan visited the ‘SARANALAYAM’ in Vellore and distributed sarees, ear rings and book on feminism written by Com.Vasuki to the women inmates.

Jayaraj Kg's photo.

78.2% IDA MERGER – MEETING WITH MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor and Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary along with Com. M.B.Rajesh MP have met Shri.Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT on 09-03-2016 at his office in Parliament. The delegation brought to his notice the inordinate delay in extending the benfit of 78.2% IDA merger to BSNL pensioners retired before 10-06-2013 and a detailed letter in this regard was handed over to him. The Minister had a patient hearing and stated that his concern is the financial implication involved. However he further stated that he would examine as to what could be done.

The Minister further stated that he is trying his best to revive BSNL and some positive results have started coming by way of an operative profit of Rs.672 crore after incurring heavy losses during the last five years.  The delegation pointed out that the unions are also doing their mite in the revival of BSNL by co-operating fully with the management in marketing BSNL products and the launching of successful “SWAS” is initiated by the Forum of BSNL Unions/ Associations.

In the absence of a categorical assurance from the Minister on the long pending issue of 78.2% IDA merger, the decision for country wide Dharna on 10-03-2016 stands. 

Comrades, it is our tradition to fight for the genuine demands. We shall continue our efforts at all levels to resolve the issue. But remember, struggle is our strength and let us mobilize maximum pensioners for the Mass Dharna on 10-03-2016 and definitely we shall win.

Government withdraws interest on EPF Withdrawal after strong opposition

Bowing to the strong and widespread anger and opposition against the Budget proposal to tax the EPF withdrawal, the Finance Minister has been compelled to withdraw the anti-worker proposal. Arun Jaitely today announced that the proposal has been withdrawn.

It is also necessary that similar tax on withdrawal of NPS (national Pension Scheme) also should be dropped. About 3.26 crore EPFO subscribers will benefit due to the roll back of the anti-worker proposal. This is victory for the working class.

INDEFINITE STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES POSTPONED TO JULY 11, 2016

NJCA
National Joint Council of Action
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055
      No.NJC/2016/7th CPC                                                                     March 7, 2016
To
            Cabinet Secretary,
            Government of India &
            Chairman,
            National Council/JCM
Subject:-    7th CPC recommendations and Charter of Demands – Reg.
Dear Sir
   Kindly refer to the NJCA letter dated 10th December 2015 conveying you the decision of the National Joint Council of Action to go on indefinite strike in  pursuance of the Charter of demands submitted there-with, if no settlement through bilateral discussions is brought about.
     I am also to invite your kind attention to the discussion the Empowered Committee of Secretaries chaired by you with Standing Committee of NC of JCM on 1st March 2016 where-in while summing up the discussions on the charter of demands you assured that a fair consideration would be given on all demands raised by the Staff Side. It was also stated by you that reasonable time should be given to the Government since the issues concern inter=departmental consultations.
    The NJCA in its meeting held on 7th March 2016 considered the request made by you. To give space for negotiated settlement on the charter of demands raised by the Staff Side it has been decided to defer the commencement of the indefinite strike to 11th July 2016 and to serve the strike notice on 9th June 2016, if the desired settlement through bilateral discussions is not brought about.
            It is requested that in the intervening period the Government may hold meaningful negotiation with the Staff Side, JCM so that a settlement could be reached on the Charter of demands raised by the staff side, in the interest of industrial harmony.
 
Thanking you,
                                                                                       Yours faithfully,
                                                                                                                Sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra                                                                                                                              Convener

WFTU -The Presidential Council Meeting Concluded

The Annual Presidential Council meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam concluded on March 6th in militant and enthusiast spirit. The topics discussed were the preparations of the 17th World Trade Union Congress in Durban, South Africa. In the Presidential Council took part a large delegation of COSATU-S.Africa headed by its President Sidumo Dlamini.

8th March 2016: “Recognize Motherhood! Universalize maternity benefit to all women workers”

On the occasion of the International Day of Working Women, the World Federation of Trade Unions honors the heroic struggles of the working women’s movement historically, salutes the working women and the militant women trade unionists worldwide and expresses its solidarity to their everyday struggles for the improvement of their living and working conditions.

The Secretariat of the WFTU, based on the recommendation of the International Conference of Working Women held in Cyprus on 1-2 November 2015, wants to take the opportunity to once more highlight an issue that seriously concerns the contemporary working women and the young couples, a social issue that reveals in all its extent the rottenness of the policies implemented in the capitalist world: The violation of the rights of maternity protection for the women of the working class. A right that must be defended by both the female and male workers in their struggle against the exploitation of human by human though the class-oriented trade union organizations.

The WFTU defends the right to maternity protection and demands the “Recognition of Motherhood, to universalize maternity benefit to all working women”.

Specifically we demand:

  • Adequate pre and post-natal paid maternity leave. Banning of the dismissals of pregnant women. Parental leave with full healthcare and insurance. Banning of night-shifts and hazardous work for the women before and after giving birth.
  • Decisive confronting of the unemployment rates through a development path that make use of the natural wealth-producing resources, the land and the industries to satisfy the needs of the peoples and not the profiting of the monopolies.
  • Free, public and qualitative Healthcare System that will take care of all the people of all the ages in any of their needs; vaccinations, regular HIV tests, proper medication for all the occasions.
  • Free, public and qualitative Education System from the kindergarten to the university. An educational process that would make sure that people receive general knowledge and specialized education, to grow up and become an integrated personality utilizing fully its capabilities for the benefit of the society.
  • Full-time, Stable job with dignified salaries. 7hours a day, 5 days a week, 35 hours a week.
  • Real and sufficient house subsidy or loans without interest for the young couples.
  • A network of real free, public and qualitative services that will assist the family, the child, the elderly, the people with special needs, in order for the life of the woman to be improved. Free, public and qualitative kindergartens, old-homes, vacation facilities, restaurants at the working places.

 

The right to maternity protection for the women of the working class is not only a matter of struggle of the working women but the entire working class. Men and women workers must jointly struggle against inequality, gender discrimination and maternity protection.

THE SECRETARIAT

Organise massive dharna on 10th March demanding 78.2% IDA Pension Fixation.

The DOT and the central government is unnecessarily delaying grant of 78.2% IDA Pension fixation for pre-10-06-2013 and pre-2007 BSNL absorbed pensioners. The delay can not be justified at all. It is about three years since the 78.2% IDA was granted to the employees and to those retired after June 2013. But those retired before that date is yet to get the same.

The file is moving from desk to desk  in DOT without finalisation. Assurances are plenty that the file will be sent to Cabinet early, but every time some new problem or unnecessary question arises and the files continues to be in DOT.

This discrimination and injustice should end. The BSNL pensioners, retired before 10-06-2013 should be granted the 78.2% IDA merger and fixation.

AIBDPA has called for massive protest by Dharna on 10th March 2016 demanding 78.2% IDA Pension fixation. Participate in the programme fully by bringing all the pensioners to the dharna.

We shall fight! We shall win!  We shall not allow the government to cheat the pensioners of their hard earned right!