Speech at the 114th Session of the ILO Conference by Comrade Anda Anastaski, Deputy General Secretary, TUI(P&R) of WFTU.

Madam President,
Distinguished delegates,

On behalf of the World Federation of Trade Unions, I bring the warm greetings of its 105 million members in 133 countries across the 5 continents.

We address this assembly with the voice of workers and pensioners, in the name of our international trade union family, the International Federation of Pensioners and Retirees, whose affiliates in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America have entrusted us with their message.

The reality we observe today is one of profound injustice. Millions of pensioners around the world live on humiliating pensions that do not cover their basic needs. Capitalist governments and multinationals have transformed social protection into a commodity, abandoning the elderly to poverty. The saying “they swallow the horses when they age” reflects this harsh truth: when workers become unproductive for the system, they are discarded like a burden.

This situation is worsened by the wars that ravage our world. The wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa have caused inflation, increased the cost of living, and destroyed social gains. Military spending, supported by NATO and the European Union, diverts resources that should be allocated to health, education, and pensions.

From this podium, we say it clearly:
Stop the wars! Stop the arms race!
Conflicts must be resolved through negotiation, not through the suffering of peoples.

The genocide that is being carried out in Palestine is a crime against humanity. We demand an immediate end to this massacre and the recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to their independent state.

At the same time, the blockade against Cuba must be lifted. The Cuban people have the right to live without external aggression and to build their future freely.

We reaffirm that the struggle for dignified pensions is inseparable from the struggle for peace. Without peace, there is no social justice. Without social justice, there is no dignity for workers and pensioners.

The WFTU, faithful to its founding principles, calls on all pensioners and workers to organize, to join the unions, and to fight for a world where the fruits of labor serve the people and not the profits of a few.

We invite you all to participate in the World Day of Action for Pensioners, which will be held on October 1st, hosted this year in South Africa. Let this day be a cry of unity and solidarity of pensioners across the globe.

Long live international solidarity!
Long live the struggle of workers and pensioners!
For a world without wars, without exploitation, without poverty!

Thank you.

Notice regarding Nationwide Dharna Programme on 20-05-2026 for immediate issuance of pending IDA/DR orders to BSNL/MTNL Pensioners

Petition for a Dignified Life for Retirees

Dear Comrades,

As per the decision of TUI (P&R) signatures of pensioners are to be collected in the above format and send it to NCCPA HQ latest by 31st May,2026 through WhatsApp in digital format.

All signatures collected will be sent to TUI (P&R) and it’s delegation to 114th ILO conferences being held at Geneva in June,2026 will directly hand over the signatures to ILO.

Therefore all the affiliated organisations are requested to co-operate in this important task.

With warm greetings,

K G Jayaraj

Officiating Secretary General, NCCPA

MASS DHARNA ON 30-04-2026-GET READY FOR MORE MILITANT STRUGGLE

Comrades,

Only 3 days are left before us

The clarion call by CBMPA to organise MASSIVE PROTESTS by conducting DHARNA before CCA/BSNL Offices on 30-04-2026 will, of course, be a jolt to the Union Government and the ruling class of the country. We, the pensioners, united with strong determination have to fight out the evil designs of the government. The orders for release of IDA/DR w.e.f. 01-01-2026 was issued by DPE on 27-02-2026 but with certain conditions in para 5. So, it is to be cleared by DoT. However, it is being delayed unnecessarily by the bureaucracy, may be on direction of the government. Meanwhile the next instalment also became due from 01-04-02-2026. It has come to our notice that rumours/status reports are being propagated in social media groups by certain leaders and individuals. Such speculations will, naturally, slow down the gearing up of our preparations. AIBDPA leaders are requested to desist from forwarding of such messages.

Now, our struggle should not be limited to releasing of IDA/DR, but for the unconditional withdrawal of the unwanted anti-labour, anti-pensioner paragraph 5 from the DPE orders dated 27-02-2026. Linking of IDA /DR with the profit/loss of PSU under various departments of the government could not be tolerated. IDA/DR is our legitimate right, just to compensate the high rocketing price rise of essential commodities, for which government is solely responsible.

Comrades,

Let’s meet each and every one, apprise the dangers and prepare them to move to the streets. The government has sharpened their weapons against pensioners with Validation Act 2025, TOR of 8th CPC etc.

Today, freezing of IDA/DR.

Tomorrow, our pension-this is the evil design of the government

Protest demonstrations on 16th April 2026 were a resounding success in all states.April 30th Dharna is only the next phase. Be ready for more militant struggle. Maintain utmost unity. Ensure that the MASS DHARNA is organised before all CCA/BSNL Offices across the length and breadth of our country.

Be confident that final victory shall be ours.

Comradely yours,

R. Muraleedharan Nair,
General Secretary, AIBDPA

Nationwide Protest demonstrations organised successfully

The resentment and anger of the pensioners against the move of freezing IDA/DR is well demonstrated before the offices of CCA/BSNL offices on today, the 16th April 2026.

The Committee of BSNL&MTNL Pensioners Associations had called upon the pensioners to organise countrywide protest demonstrations against the government’s attitude to deny IDA/DR due from 01-01-2026.

CHQ Congratulate all the pensioners and leaders of AIBDPA for organising the protest actions with full might and commitment.

Also, it is reminded that the MASS DHARNA on 30th April 2026 must be conducted with full participation of our members.

Let’s prepare for more serious and militant actions, to fight back the anti-pensioner designs of the Union Government.

R.Muraleedharan Nair, General Secretary

R.Muraleedharan Nair, General Secretary

PREPARE FOR SACRIFICE-FIGHT AGAINST THE INJUSTICE TOWARDS PENSIONERS

Protest Demonstration on 16.04.2026 in front of CCA /BSNL offices

Mass Dharna on 30.04.2026 in front of CCA/BSNL Offices

Comrades,

The protest demonstrations in front of CCA/BSNL offices on 16th April is the trumpet blow of a storming campaign and struggles to ensure the very existence of pensioners.

Almost all the BSNL/MTNL Pensioners’ Associations had come together to kick back the dirty games of the Union Government.

The latest attack on Pensioners is the tricky game of freezing DA/DR.

Payment of DA/DR on increased rates as and when Consumer Price Index increases, is the hard earned right of the employees/ pensioners.

The order of DPE on 27th February 2026, regarding payment of IDA/DR, linking the payment with the profit/loss of the PSU was not surprising. It is part of the roadmap of the Union Government by the enactment of Validation Act 2025 & anti-pensioner TOR of 8th CPC.

The revision of Pension w.e.f 01/01/2017 is denied on flimsy grounds.

The meeting of 12 All India BSNL/MTNL Associations of pensioners held on 03/04/2026, after serious consideration of the situation, decided the following:

Protest Demonstration on 16.04.2026 in front of CCA /BSNL offices.

Mass Dharna on 30.04.2026 in front of CCA/BSNL Offices.

All CHQ office bearers, Circle Secretaries and District Secretaries are requested to meet each and every pensioner, apprise the alarming situation and make the agitations a resounding success.

AIBDPA functionaries may please take immediate initiative to convene the meeting of pensioners’ associations at the Circle/District level wherever it is not done.

Comradely Yours

R Muraleedharan Nair, General Secretary

Committee of BSNL/MTNL Pensioners’ Association

Pensioners of BSNL/MTNL are very much worried about non-grant of increased Dearness Relief from 1/1/2026 and they suspect the mischief of the Government

16/4/26 – Demonstration in front of CCA offices and before BSNL offices in other places throughout the country

30/4/2026 – One day Dharna throughout India

5th Circle Conference of AIBDPA North East 1 Circle

5th Circle Conference of AIBDPA North East 1 Circle is held on 29th & 30th March 2026 at Shillong. AIBDPA General Secretary Com. R. Muraleedharan Nair inaugurated the conference. In his inaugural address, General Secretary briefed the international and national situation and also, the anti-pensioner policies of the Union Government. The hurdles created in releasing of IDA/DR and the issue of pension revision were elaborated among other issues. CHQ Organising Secretary Com. Mintu Chandra Bhowmik also attended the Conference. Com. D. K. Das is elected as Circle President & Com. Satyajit Deb as Circle Secretary. CHQ congratulates the newly elected Office-bearers.

R. Muraleedharan Nair,
General Secretary

Aravindakshan Nair Memorial Award to Com. K.G.Jayaraj

It is my honour to inform you all that Com.R.Aravindakshan Nair Memorial award for this year will be presented to Com.K.G.Jayaraj,Veteran leader and our All India Patron, who was the General Secretary from the very first day of inception of AIBDPA. He was the Captain of all the activities and struggles for the last 16 years of our history.

The award was instituted jointly by AIBDPA and family members of Com. R.Aravindakshan Nair, former All India Treasurer, AIBDPA (Kollam, Kerala), in memory of his activities in the field of trade union and cultural activities. This year, the award committee preferred the name of Com.K.G.Jayaraj, who is also the Vice Secretary of  TUI(P&R) and acting General Secretary of NCCPA.

The award consisting of Appreciation Letter and cash award will be received by Com. K.G.Jayaraj from Dr. R Lathadevi, District Panchayat President, Kollam at the ceremonial function arranged on 25th March 2026.

We express our sincere thanks to the award committee and also, congratulations to Com.K.G.Jayaraj, our beloved leader.

R.Muraleedharan Nair

General Secretary