The Greek workers under the banner of united trade unions of PAME organised a spectacular 24hrs strike in Greece on 17-04-2024. Thousands of workers both men and women, even with small children on their arms participated in the demonstration held before the Parliament in Athens. The delegates of the 3rd Congress of TUI(P&R) along with the pensioners of Greece extended solidarity to the striking workers by greeting them physically during their demonstration. The Indian delegates , Coms.K Ragavendran, A K Ghosh and D K Debnath were delighted to get the opportunity to participate in the memorable event. The strike was warranted due to the refusal of the government to restore the trade union rights withdrawn as a temporary measure during the economic recession in 2010-18.

DECLARATION OF THE III CONGRESS OF THE TUI OF THE WFTU P&R

The TUI 3rd Congress of the P&R, held in Athens from 14 to 18 April 2024, concluded with the adoption of the following Final Declaration.

The congress of the TUI of the P&R took the measure of the general nature of the attacks made by our common enemy: capitalism, which uses all the means at its disposal to discourage or weaken us, because it understood that our TUI of the P&R, the only international union of pensioners and retirees, has been strongly strengthened despite all the obstacles. Our enemy has once again demeaned itself by using the most cowardly means of visas to enter Europe for African trade unionists, we have attended for one visa application for 140 participants, only about sixty trade unionists from different African countries have obtained it, despite an official invitation and a hotel reservation, The inconceivable is that for most authorizations, the validity period varies between one week (07 days) and twenty days (20 days).Never before has an international trade union organization had so many visa refusals or visas issued for such short durations.

But these obstacles did not discourage our activists who took up the challenge and came to Athens in force, while those who did not have their visas insisted on attending this congress by video conference. At the Congress, they attended 200 pensioners from 90 countries, plus 30 pensioners from 20 countries via videoconference.

This congress was marked by the approval of the 3 documents presented: 1)Global developments ; 2) Amendments to the Statutes; 3) Report on activities and work plan and by the election of a leadership team that will continue the work done by the previous one and was an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have been lost forever since the first congress as well as to those who created this union.

The threats that weigh today on pensioners, the unemployed, unemployment insurance and the civil service are in line with those posed to the Labour Code and the methods of exercising labour law throughout the world. Only a union between all trade unions , including the pensioners’ unions, can defeat all these capitalist and imperialist projects. Today, in order to increase the retirement age and to privatize pension funds, governments announce their bankruptcies, so if this is true, it is easy to get the money from the bosses or recruit even more workers.

We cannot close this Third Congress without denouncing the genocide that has been taking place in Palestine for more than 6 months causing nearly 35,000 deaths, mostly children and women, with the blessing of NATO, the United States and the EU, despite the millions of citizens who are demonstrating in these countries to put an end to Israel’s terrorist acts and to recognize the Palestinian state.

MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE DAY OF THE CONGRESSThe congress closed with these recommendations:Motions in support of Palestine, to the workers of Greece on general strike on 17-4-24,Other two resolutions, Continuing to strengthen our union, Unifying pension funds and saying no to privatization

ATHENS, 16-4-2024

Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF Chennai Telephones Circle has celebrated Dr.B R Ambedkar Jayanthi in a befitting manner. A meeting was held at BSNLEU office, Flower Bazar, Chennai on 16-04-2024. Com.K Govindaraj, AGS and Circle Secretary, Chennai Telephones delivered the keynote address on the subject “Relevance of Dr,B R Ambedkar at this crucial juncture.”

Respected President, Comrade Dimos Koumpouris, General Secretary Com. Quim Boix, other distinguished leaders on the dias, hosting Comrades of Greece and delegates participating from various countries representing numerous organizations both physically and on Zoom platform.

On behalf of AIBDPA, the militant and fighting organisation of Telecom pensioners of India, I have the privilege of extending Revolutionary Greetings to all of you. My hearty congratulations to our Greek comrades for hosting and holding this historic 3rd Congress at the capital city of Athens, which has the rich heritage of the famous ancient city, in a befitting manner.

I am extremely sorry for not being present physically among you and missing the great opportunity to see you all in person due to Visa problem. My hearty thanks to our beloved General Secretary Com. Quim Boix for extending the opportunity to participate in the 3rd Congress on the Zoom platform.

Comrades, we are having this 3rd Congress at Athens after five years since the 2nd Congress at Bogotá in 2019 and during these five years we have advanced and rejuvenated as the only world organization of the pensioners and retirees, thanks to our great and visionary leadership. But at the same time there are deficiencies and weaknesses, which warrant our serious attention and effective measures for resolution.

1. The main problem is lack of initiative in organising the pensioners and retirees in many countries even by WFTU affiliated trade unions in their respective countries. I am fully aware of the great efforts by our General Secretary Com. Quim Boix through the WFTU leadership in this regard.It is observed that in many countries the retired persons are continuing in the leadership of trade unions of workers wherever the rules permit it. WFTU had taken a decision to the effect that the vast majority of the workers are still unorganized and it is the duty of the organised section to organise the unorganized. Accordingly in some countries like India CITU took the initiative to organise the casual and contract workers and the pensioners and that is how AIBDPA, AIPRPA, AIITPA, AKBRF, AILICPA, AIAAPA,BSNLCCWF, AIPCWF etc were formed. We do not know the real position in this regard in other countries.
2. When we organised the 2nd Asia Regional Conference at Thiruvananthapuram on 1st October, 2023, the main problem we faced was lack of adequate representation from the Asian countries. Only three countries ie India, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated despite earnest efforts made by Comrade Quim Boix, General Secretary, Com. K. Ragavendran, Asia Coordinator and the Organising Committee. Barring this, the 2nd Asia Regional Conference was a grand success. The issues being faced by the pensioners and retirees were discussed in detail. The online speeches by Com. Pambis Kyritsis , General Secretary WFTU and Com. Quim Boix, General Secretary TUI (P&R) were highly appreciated.
3. There are instances wherein some of our affiliated organisations are toeing the line of the respective self styled “Social Democratic” governments, jeopardizing the basic principles of TUI (P&R).
4. Finance is very important for any organization for its effective functioning. But our leadership is burdened in this regard due to non -receipt of fees / yearly quota from many affiliates. In some countries like India, bank transfer has been made impossible, purposely by the government and the Indian affiliates were not able to remit their quota during the last five years. However, arrangements are now made for payment of quota directly during this 3rd Congress. But it is necessary to find out some alternate arrangement for timely remittances of yearly quota in future.
5. Lack of awareness or failure to understand the issues in proper and correct perspective may put the particular organization in difficulty. Therefore ideological updating is very much necessary and our TUI (P&R) leadership has taken adequate care to include it as one of the important tasks in the report.
6. We are all aged and most of us are ailing too. Therefore, burdening the General Secretary with each and everything is not at all desirable. In this connection, effective proposals are made in the report to share the responsibilities and also to replace an office bearer found to be inactive.
7. Women representation is another area that we should have a clear perspective and effective proposals. Unfortunately, much importance is not being given on this important issue by most of the organizations. TUI ( P& R) has to be a role model for empowering the women in all aspects and should guide the affiliated organizations to follow suit.

AIBDPA and it’s functioning.

All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association is an organization consisting of pensioners and family pensioners of the Department of Telecommunications and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd ( BSNL ) in India. It was formed in 2009 and due to its militant style of functioning, mainly organising struggles demanding settlement of important issues of the pensioners, AIBDPA has advanced as one of the major pensioners organisations in India. It is affiliated to NCCPA ( National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Association ) since its inception and continues to be one of the dominant affiliates. AIBDPA is part of TUI (P&R) since its first Congress held at Barcelona in 2014.

We have a website, aibdpa.com, being regularly updated with important developments, struggles and government orders. We also publish a quarterly journal, Tele Pensioner. Social media like WhatsApp and Face Book are also being utilised for campaigns.

We have achieved many demands through sustained struggles. We were denied medical benefits for about four years and had to organise continuous struggles, even during the Covid 19 pandemic. Finally a mammoth march of pensioners at New Delhi was organised on 24th August, 2022 after which the medical benefits were paid with arrears. This has boosted the confidence of our Comrades and attracted more pensioners to our fold. It also compelled the government of India to hold a discussion on 17th October, 2022 on the long pending issue of pension revision due from 01-01.2017. But the issue is still pending unresolved, though we organised several agitations not only by AIBDPA but also under the banner of Joint Forum of 8 Pensioners Associations. NCCPA also included the pension revision in its charter of demands on which a four phased struggle, culminating in a powerful Delhi March on 12-07-2023 was organised .

We are thankful to TUI(P&R) for supporting our struggles and also for circulating to all the affiliates with multiple translation and publication of these on the website.

Attacks on pension.

The first attack started against the defined and statutory benefit pension scheme which ensured 50% of the last salary as pension by replacing it with a contributory pension scheme called National Pension Scheme. It has since been proved to be a No Pension Scheme against which sustained joint struggles are launched unitedly by the organizations of Central government employees, state government employees and that of the Public Sectors and pensioners as well . This has its impact with some of the state governments deciding to restore the Old Pension Scheme. The Indian government also was compelled to appoint a Secretary level Committee to examine the possibility of any positive change within the frame work of NPS. But we cannot expect anything favourable from this Committee.

Another pension scheme made applicable for the vast majority of workers including for the private sector workers, is EPF Pension Scheme which is most retrograde and by which only a very meagre amount of pension is being paid . The government is trying to deny even a slight increase, as eligible as per the verdict of the Supreme Court of India.

The Indian government under Narendra Modi is pursuing aggressively the neoliberal policies by which the Corporates are given undue concessions while the common people are burdened with the record unemployment and unbearable price rise of essential commodities. The gap between the rich and poor is alarmingly widened. In addition, the government is trying to divide the people in the name of caste and religion. Also the government has started to show it’s fascist tendancies resorting to pressure tactics on all the constitutional institutions to toe the government line. Though the general elections is round the corner, the government did not care to concede even smaller and long pending issues of the pensioners including restoration of railway travel concession to the senior citizens withdrawn during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Kerala shows the alternative.

In sharp contrast to the policies of Narendra Modi government, the left Democratic government of Kerala is implementing so many schemes for the welfare of the common people without compromising on modern developmental activities. Kerala is implementing a pension scheme, called the social welfare pension to all weaker sections, ₹1,600 is being paid to more than 60 lakh people every month.

Comrades, our moto, Universal Pension, has to be made a reality for which we all have to strive hard to replace our class enemy, the capitalism with progressive left / socialist governments. It is not an easy task but not impossible too. So let us strengthen our own organisations, strengthen our TUI(P&R) and organise struggles unitedly with working class to acheive the goal.

Long Live TUI (P&R)
Long Live WFTU
Long Live the 3rd Congress.

Thank you Comrades.

Prior to the 3rd Congress ,the Executive board was met at the venue of the congress, Novotel Hall, Athens brieflly at 4PM on 14th April, 2024. Com.Dimos Koumpouris, President presided.Com.Quim Boix General Secretary briefed on the report, amendments to the statutes, resolutions and the proposal for the office bearers for next five years. All the documents ,already circulated were approved so also the proposals for office bearers.

The Congress kick statrted with the WFTU anthem and followed by three songs presented by the Music group of Greece which enthralled all the participants. Thereafter Coms. Dimos Koumpouris, President, Pambis Kyritsis, General Secretary, WFTU, George Mavrikos, Honorary President, WFTU, George Perros, Deputy General Secretary, Executive Secretariat of PAME and Quim Boix, General Secretary addressed the Congress. All the leaders severely condemned the barbaric genocide in Gaza by Israel killing several thousands of innocent civilians, mostly women and children. The attacks on pension by various governments world over where ever capitalist forces are in power and the struggles being launched were highlighted.

Thereafter the documents of the Congress were presented. Com. Dimos Koumpouris, President presented the document on global developments. Com.Lisimaco Velasco presented the amendments to the statutes and Com.Quim Boix the report and work plan.

The discussion started with the Indian delegate Com.A K Ghosh, Coordination Committee of CGPA, West Bengal . Other Indian delegates, Coms. K Ragavendran, Secretary General, NCCPA and D K Debnath, General Secretary, AIPRPA also spoke on the first day itself. Com.K G Jayaraj, Genral Secretary, AIBDPA who could not participate physically due to visa problem and attended through video conference also took part in the discussion. The Indian delegates presented the important issues of struggles for restoration of Old Pension Scheme, BSNL pension revision, Bank pension updation, NPS, EPF pension and the struggles being waged jointly with working class. The peculiar political situation in India due to the pro corporateaggressive neoliberal policies of the authoritarian government were also highlighted.

The 3rd Congress is continuing and will conclude on 16th April, 2024.

Com. N N Patel, Circle President inaugurated the 3rd Palanpur District Conference al Jalram Hall on 13-04-2024. Com. B A Panchivala presided over the conference as Com. N M Parmar could not participate due to illness. In his inaugural address, Com.N N Patel stressed to stregthen the organisation to face the challenges ahead. Com.S C Soni welcomed one and all.Com.V M Darji, District Secretary presented the report and Com. R P Khasetia, Treasurer submitted the accounts.

Com.M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary and CHQ Vice President delivered the keynote address and explained all the issues. Com. C D Ratho, Retd OS and Chief Guest donated Rs.20,000 to the District Branch towards the conference expenditure. Com.G B Darji, District Secretary, Mahesana, Coms.D B Raval and Com. A Y Ghori,District President and District Secretary BSNLEU addressed.The pensioners who crossed 75 years were honoured.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com. L D Deria (Patron), Com.S C Soni (President), Com.V M Darji (District Secretary) Com.R P Khasetia (Treasurer)

The 3rd Congress of Trade Union International (Pensioners & Retirees) is being held at the historic ancient city of Athens in Greece on 14-18 April, 2024. Arrangements were made for the participation of seven comrades from India. Coms.K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA & Executive Board Member of TUI(P&R), K Ragavendran, Secretary General, NCCPA & Asia Coordinator of TUI(P&R), A K Ghosh (Coordination Committee of CGPA,West Bengal) & Member , Financial Committee of TUI(P&R), D K Debnath, General Secretary, AIPRPA, M.Suresh Kumar, General Secretary, AKBRF, Swastika Dasgupta, CHQ Vice President, AIBDPA & Member, Womens Committee of TUI(P&R) and Mihir Dasgupta, ACS, Kolkata of AIBDPA.

Unfortunately, Coms K G Jayaraj and M Suresh Kumar could not get the Visa, though they attended the interview at Kochi on 22-03-2024. Com. Swastika Dasgupta was admitted in a Kolkata hospital on 10-04-2024 in a critical condition due to heart ailment and both Coms.Swastika and Mihir had to cancel their tickets. And as such only three comrades, K Ragavendran, A K Ghosh and D K Debnath are participating in the 3rd Congress. It is the first time that AIBDPA is not represented in the TUI(P&R) Congress. Com.V A N Namboodiri, Advisor had attended the first Congress at Barcelona in 2014 and Com.K G Jayaraj participated in the 2nd Congress at Bogota in 2019. However, Com.Quim Boix has assured to make necessary arrangements for the participation of Com.K G Jayaraj through video conference.

The 3rd Congress will discuss seriously the important issues of the pensioners and retirees globally and take appropriate decisions. Three documents will be presented to the Congress for discussion and adoption. Delegates from 90 countries are expected to participate and delegates from 20 countries through video conference also will participate.