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South Africa: The preparations of the 17th World Trade Union Congress started

 

The Organizing Committee composed by the South Aftican Trade Unions which have undertaken the organization of the 17th World Trade Union Congress held a meeting yesterday in Johannesburg and today will meet in Durban.

The committee is composed by Trade Union leaders of the largest organizations in South Africa. The discussion was substantial and in militant spirit. The planning for hosting the most important trade union event for the class-oriented movement has started.

On behalf of the WFTU central offices comrades Nikolas Theodorakis and Anda Anastasaki are present during the meetings.

Greece: Demonstration of PAME in front of Prime Minister’s Mansion 08 Jan 2016

Right now the forces of PAME, trade unions, workers, unemployed, pensioners, youth, realise a Protest in front the Prime Ministers’ Mansion.

They demand the abolishment of the new bill on Social Security, which has been drafted by the SYRIZA Government, bussiness groups and the European Union, to be abolished.

“All in the streets-All in the Struggle

No compromise with the new crime against Social Security

Massive Demonstration Today At the Ministry of Labour

Preparation of New National General Strike”

Is written on the protesters’ banners.

Turkey: WFTU participates in Congress of Sosyal-Is

 

WFTU adressed the opening Ceremony of the succesful Congress of Sosyal-Is, a militant and class-oriented union of the working class of Turkey organized in the sectors of commerce, education, offices and fine arts. The Congress which took place in Ankara on 9-10 January 2016 concluded with singificant debate and resolutions to empower Sosyal-Is and its internationalist role in favor of the working class of Turkey, Europe and international.

WFTU Representative, Alexandra Liberi underlined in her greeting speech that: “Under the modern conditions, the working class needs a stronger, more dynamic, more mass, more class-oriented trade union movement to defend its rights and demand the satisfaction of its contemporary needs against poverty and wars generated by Capitalism. With all forms of struggle, we must become stronger, organize in the workplace, organize more workers in the trade unions, empower the working class and inspire more effective struggles to demand dignified salaries and working-hours, respect of the Collective Bargaining Agreements, public and free social security for all, Retirement Age at 60 for men and 55 for women, public and free Education and Healthcare for all, Public and affordable social services, Affordable and Safe Housing for all etc.

This is the fight that WFTU fights. This is the call we make. WFTU calls the international working class to make steps “Forward”! WFTU calls the international class oriented trade union movement to unite in fraternity, to know its enemies and friends, to fight militantly and fiercefully to open new roads for the satisfaction of the workers’ rights.”

KERALA CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD SUCCESSFULLY.

The Circle Executive Committee meeting of Kerala was held on 09-01-2016 at K.G.Bose Bhavan, Ernakulam. Com.R.Aravindakshan Nair, Circle President presided. Com.K.G.Jayaraj , General Secretary inaugurated the CEC with an elaborate speech covering Inter-national, National situations, 7th Pay Commission report and modifications sought, current position on 78.2% IDA merger, Tirupati AIC etc. Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, CHQ Patron, Coms.K.Arjunan, M.R.Chandran , Circle Patrons addressed. Com.N.Guruprasad, Cirle Secretary welcomed and presented the brief report for the interim period and the financial position was presented by Com.K.J.Sanal Kumar, Treasurer.

All the District Secretaries and most of the Circle Office bearers participated in the discussion.The CEC took the following decisions.

1. Banners/ boards etc be exhibited at all important offices on the All India Conference being held at Tirupati on 2-3, February, 2016.

2. Next Circle Conference to be held at Thrissur.

3. To conduct the accounts verification of District Branches in April, 2016.

Government Squeezes Profitable PSUs

The central government has decided to ask the profitable PSUs to pay more dividends this year. It has told these PSUs to pay 30% dividend, instead of the usual 20%.

Whether UPA or NDA government, both of them want to squeeze the PSUs and make them loss making. But they will never help the PSUs in distress or loss.

The central government is the killer of the PSUs. It is only interested in the growth of the MNCs and private companies. Of course, it’s motto is “Business is not the business of the Government.” Expose this anti-people policy of the government.

DEFENCE TO RETURN EXTRA SPECTRUM TO DOT.

 

Department of Defence is expected to hand over the extra spectrum in 1700-2000 Mhzband to DOT within three months, after DOT set up an exclusive defence network for its communication services. This issue has been pending for many years.

The vacated spectrum can be auctioned to the telecom companies for additional spectrum for providing services.

Railway Development Authority – A preliminary for Railway Privatisation

 

The move of the Government and the Railway Ministry to form a Railway Development Authority (RDA) is the next step for privatisation of the Railways. According to reports in Business Line, the government has prepared a concept paper on the matter and has invited stake holders’ comments.

Another report says that the Government is proposing to hand over 400 Railway Stations to private for modernisation as has been done in the case of Airports earlier. This is stated by Finance Minister Arun jaitely. They will be allowed to utilise the lands of the Railways for constructing buildings etc.

It is to be remembered here that the formation of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was done in connection with the privatisation of telecom sector. Now it is the Railways!