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Com. T. Seshaiah, a sincere and devoted leader of telecom unions in Hyderabad shouldered the responsibility of District Secretary, AIBDPA, Hyderabad after his retirement. He was only 73 and passed away at 4.25 PM on 13-06-2024 after a brief brain related illness. It is a great loss to our organization.

CHQ pays homages to the departed leader and conveys hearfelt condolences to the bereaved family and comrades.

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The World Federation of Trade Unions, the militant voice of 105 million workers who live, work, and struggle in 133 countries of the 5 continents, reaffirms that the class-oriented trade union movement is fundamentally opposed and timelessly struggles against the capitalist exploitation and particularly the inhumane and bloody child labour.

On the occasion of June 12th, World Day Against Child Labor, we strongly condemn the barbaric exploitation of children as cheap labor force all over the world. Even in the most advanced economies, underage exploitation is a fact, and childhood is stolen from children. The big capital monopolies, driven by their endless thirst for profits exploit the children as cheap labor. Especially amid the capitalist crisis and the deepening of intra-imperialist rivalries, the exploitation of children is intensifying even more, always with a view to maximizing the profits of multinationals. Child workers are mainly employed in the sectors of agriculture, fishing, and mining, while other children work even as modern-day slaves.

As the world’s class-oriented trade union movement, the WFTU organizes with unwavering commitment our struggle for the abolition of child labour and for the total protection of ALL children’s rights:

– The children’s right to proper nutrition and healthcare in a world where thousands of children die daily, because of lack of food and while hunger is responsible for half of child deaths in Africa.

– Public free and compulsory education for all children.

– Recreation and access to leisure activities that develop the children’s personality and talents.

We demand all the necessary measures to be promptly taken for the adequate protection of children from child labor, as well as for the covering of all of their contemporary needs. The international class-oriented trade union movement intensifies its struggle and initiatives against child labour and all forms of exploitation.

In the webinar held from 8 PM to 9.45 PM on 12-06-2024, Prof. Beranice Remirez Lopez presented the subject ” An Approach to the current situation of retirement systems. ” In the one hour speech, she presented the pension systems in various countries, mainly in Latin America. The presentation was impressive and educative with facts and figures in tables and graphics.Almost all the countries barring a few have switched over to contributory pension and private pension as part of the attacks on workers by the capitalism. So the working class along with the retirees are fighting against this onslaught.

Coms. K G Jayaraj, K Ragavendran and D K Debnath participated from India.

Labour Bureau has at last released the Consumer Price Index for three months, ie February, March and April, 2024 on 07-06-2024. Actually, as per the usual practice , the February Price Index was to be released on 28-03-2024 based on which the IDA from April,2024 is to be determined. Though, Labour Bureau has not mentioned any reason for the unprecedented delay in releasing the CPI monthly, it is presumed that it may be due to the Model Code of Conduct of the Election Commission.

As per Consumer Price Index numbers of February,2024, released by Labour Bureau on 07-06-2024, IDA Rate on 2007-Pay-Scale & Pension is likely to INCREASE by 1.4% w.e.f. 1st April 2024 i.e. 215.4% (existing) + 1.4% (increase) = 216.8% (from April, 2024.

Payable only after DPE issues necessary orders.

The 4th biennial district conference of Kutch Bhuj, Gujarat was held at Giant Group Hall Lal Tekri in Bhuj on 30-05-2024.Com.J T Sanghavi, District President presided over the conference. Com.M M Vaidya, District Secretary welcomed and presented the report and Com. A S Pathak, District Treasurer submitted the audited accounts. Com.N N Patel, Circle President inaugurated the conference with an impressive speech. Com.M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary and CHQ Vice President delivered the keynote address by explaining all the issues. Com. Sunil J Thakar, CircleSecretary, BSNLCCWF, Shri. R P Marvada, DGM and Shri. Nishant Visani, IFA also addressed. Several issues were raised by the delegates , mostly pertaining to the SSA, in the discussion that followed and appropriately replied. After adopting the report and accounts , the conference elected the office bearers unanimously with the following important functionaries, Com. R J Maheswari (Patron) Com. J T SAnghvi (President) Com.M M Vaidya (DIstrict Secretary) and Com. A S Pathak (Treasurer). Com.M B Chaniyara, Circle Secretary, Com.N N Patel ,Circle President along with the District Branch leaders met Shri. Manojkumar, GM and discussed the issues pending settlement and got a positive response.

The Coordination Committee of BSNLEU, AIBDPA & BSNLCCWF of Kolkata Telephones Circle organised a big rally in front of CGM Office, Kolkata on 28-05-2024 demanding early launchingof 4G/5G, one lakh FTTH connections in Kolkata Telephones etc. The rally was participated by hundreds of BSNL employees, pensioners and contract workers.

Coms. Sisir Roy, Convenor, CoC, Sanjib Banerjee Circle Secretary, AIBDPA, D.Basu CORTO, Sankar Nepal, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU and Pradipta Ghosh, Circle Secretary, CTTMU addressed the rally. All the speakers severely criticized the anti-BSNL policy of Modi government and called upon the people to defeat the anti people BJP Government.

JOINT FORUM OF BSNL/ MTNL PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS, NEW DELHI.

20th May, 2024.

DECISIONS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20-05-2024.

A virtual meeting of the Joint Forum of BSNL MTNL Pensioners Associations was held at 4 PM on 20-05-2024.

The following representatives of the constituent organisations participated.

AIBDPA : V A N Namboodiri, Advisor
K G Jayaraj, General Secretary
M R Das, President

BDPA(I): D D Mistry, General Secretary
Thomas John, President
M R Vasisht, Ex President

AICGPA HQ PUNE : H F Chaudhari, General Secretary
K. Raja, AGS

MREWA : R K Mudgal, General Secretary
J R Gangawar, AGS.

MREWA Mumbai : V K Gangwar, General Secretary

Com. G. L. Jogi, General Secretary , SNPWA could not attend due to hospitalisation of his wife. Though Com. D. C Sharma, Vice President was entrusted to participate, he also could not attend.

Com. Rajendra Prasad, General Secretary, MSEPA had sought leave.

Com. S P Kokhriyal, General Secretary, MDPA could not attend being unwell.

Com. V A N Namboodiri presided over the meeting. Com. K G Jayaraj, Convenor welcomed all and narrated the developments on pension revision after the last meeting on 14-02-2024. DoT has taken a very negative approach during this period. Pensioners have become restive and no longer prepared tolerate. Of course no programme of action is possible during general elections but we can decide some programme to be implemented after the formatiion of the new government.

Coms. V A N Namboodiri, R K Mudgal, Thomas John, H F Chaudhari, D D Mistry, M. R Das and J R Gangawar participated actively in the discussion that followed. All of them generally agreed to the proposal put forward by the Convenor.

Finally, the following programme of action was decided.

1. Demands Day on 02-07-2024- Submission of Memorandum at all levels
2. March to CCA Offices in August,2024.

3.Chalo Delhi in September,2024.

The dates of the second and third programme will be decided in the next virtual meeting after the Demands Day.

The meeting concluded at 05.30 PM with vote of thanks by Com. V A N Namboodiri and K G Jayaraj.