Wednesday, September 2, 2015
PRESS STATEMENT
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS.
First Floor, North Avenue Post Office,
New Delhi. 110 001.
Website: confederationchq.blogspot.com.
E mail. confederation06@yahoo.co.in
Dated: 2nd September, 2015.
PRESS STATEMENT
The initial report received at the Confederation CHQ indicates the participation of about 8.5 lakh Central Government employees in today’s general Strike action of the Indian working Class. Earlier endorsing the call of the Central trade Unions, the Confederation of CGE and workers had called upon the Central Government employees to take part in the one day strike to compel the Govt. to withdraw the anti-people and anti-worker neo-liberal policies pursued since 1991. The report states that the offices of the Postal, Income Tax Ground Water Board, Survey of India Geological Survey of India, , Indian Bureau of Mines. Offices of the Census Departments, ISRO, Atomic Energy, Medical Store Depots, Film Institute of India, Offices of the AGMARK, various other autonomous scientific and research institutions, etc remained closed for the whole day and the work completely paralysed. The strike also paralysed the functioning of various offices of the Indian Audit and Account Department, Printing and Stationary, Census, CPWD, Civil Accounts, Indian Standards Institute etc. Total civilian employees of various Defence Organisations and Defence Accounts Departments participated in the strike. The strike in which lakhs of workers participated has cautioned the Government of the consequences of scrapping the various labour welfare legislations intended to please the Corporate houses.
The Central Government employees were particularly unhappy over the denial of the wage revision for the past 5 years, non grant of interim relief and merger of DA, the continued outsourcing and contractorisation of Governmental functions, denial of the Statutory defined benefit pension to the fresh appointees and above all the closure of the negotiating forum- JCM- since 2010. The Finance Minister’s statement in the Parliament while laying the Medium term Expenditure Framework Statement pegging the additional revenue expenses on account of salary, pension etc for the year 2016-17 at just 5% more than 2015-16 was indicative of the nugatory attitude of the Government towards its own employees’ genuine demand for wage revision. It has no doubt acted as a catalyst to the enthusiastic participation of the employees in the Strike action.
The Strike was total in Kerala, Tamilnadu. Maharashtra, Punjab ,Telengana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chattisgrah, MP, Orissa, West Bengal Assam, North Eastern States w and 80 to 90% in other States.
The Confederation secretariat congratulates the employees and their leaders, who undertook intensive Campaign to make the strike such a grand success. The Confederation Secretariat while thanking all its members for their whole hearted participation in the Strike and making it an unprecedented success, places on record the gratitude and appreciation for the yeomen efforts of the various Central Government Pensioners organizations in supporting the strike action.
KKN. KUTTY
President,
Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
MAKE THE 2nd SEPTEMBER 2015 - NATIONWIDE ONEDAY STRIKE A GRAND SUCCESS ....
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NFPE & AIPEU GDS (NFPE) JOINTLY SERVED THE STRIKE NOTICE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR 2nd SEPTEMBER 2015 ONE DAY NATIONWIDE STRIKE WITH 12 POINT CHARTER OF DEMANDS.
OUR DEMANDS ARE JUSTIFIED
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OUR STRUGGLE IS RIGHTFUL
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THE DISCRIMINATION POLICY OF THE GOVT. HAS TO BE CHANGED IN CASE OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
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THE AMBIGUITY OVER CIVIL SERVANT STATUS TO GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS SHOULD GO AWAY
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WE ARE FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT CAUSE
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CONTINUE OUR STRUGGLES AND SACRIFICES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
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UNITED STRUGGLE RESULTS SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENTS
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OUR PRIME DEMAND IS
INCLUDE GDS IN 7th CPC
ALL THE GDS COMRADES OF ALL CIRCLES ARE REQUESTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2nd SEPTEMBER 2015 NATIONWIDE ONE DAY STRIKE AND MAKE IT A GRAND SUCCESS.
ALL CHQ OFFICE BEARERS, CIRCLE SECRETARIES, DIVISIONAL / BRANCH SECRETARIES, ACTIVE COMRADES ARE REQUESTED TO MOBILIZE & ORGANIZE THE TOMORROW'S ONE DAY STRIKE WITH ENMASSE PARTICIPATION IN ALL THE DIVISIONS.
Make the 2nd September 2015 All India Strike a historic success.
CONFEDERATION
OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor,
North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001
Website:
www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
Email: confederationhq@gmail.com
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Dt.31st August 2015
Make the 2nd September 2015 All India Strike a historic success
Dear Comrades,
We have placed on our website the synopsis of the discussion the leaders of the
Central Trade Unions had with the Group of Ministers on the 12 point charter of
demands. The Central Trade Unions evaluated the Government’s response to the
strike call and have come to the conclusion that in the absence of any tangible
result, the strike action must take place. The only issue on which there
had been a concrete proposal from the Government was on the question of raising
the bonus ceiling. In fact such an assurance has been given by the
earlier Government also. Due to the pressure exerted by the employing
class, the said assurance could not be translated into reality. To have
the assurance to be put into practice, the Bonus Act has to be amended and that
is possible only in the next session of the parliament. In other words,
if one is to believe the assurance held out by the Government on the question
of raising the ceiling for bonus computation, it can only have prospective
effect i.e. for the next year 2016. We firmly believe that the corporate
would not allow the present government to give effect to this assurance.
The acrimonious ceiling on bonus while allowing unlimited extraction of profit
for the companies is to be fought out through bitter struggles.
There had been no word from the Government on the question of rolling back its
proposals on the labour reforms. The proposed labour reforms will hurt the
working class most. The regularization of contract workers, payment of
minimum wage, ensuring statutory Pension benefit, the registration or
recognition of trade unions within a stipulated time limit to enable the
workers to have the right to collective bargaining, the non implementation of
the agreements reached at the various tripartite Labour conferences were some
of the significant issues on which the working class sought settlement. Introduction
of 100% FDI in Railways, 49% in Defence, corporatisation
& privatisation of government entities, end for
contract/casual temporary employment also met with stoic silence or rejection.
The Group of Ministers has successfully eluded the issues. The BMS unions have
declared that they would withdraw from the strike action. Their decision
being political based is understandable, but is difficult to appreciate. We can
only hope against hope that they would realize the reality of the situation in
the days to come and become part of the joint struggles very soon.
The 7th CPC has sought
further time to submit its report. They are now likely to submit their
report by 31st December,
2015. Given the way the commission had acted on this vital issue, we are
not certain of it. It is on the specious plea that they would be
submitting their report within the stipulated time, they had rejected our
demand for interim relief. They ought to have submitted an interim report
to the Government before seeking further time on the memorandum submitted by
the Staff Side on merger of DA and Interim relief. Even if the report is
submitted say by 31stDecember, 2015, which we feel is
unlikely, the Government is bound to take another six months to take a view on
the Commission’s recommendations. It is incumbent upon the National
JCA to meet immediately and take appropriate decision in the light of the
unexpected step taken by the Commission in seeking further time to submit its
report. They must go ahead with the decision to go on strike from 23rd November, 2015 demanding the
Commission to submit urgently an interim report on merger of DA and Interim
relief.
There had been no positive steps taken by the government to revive the
functioning of the JCM at National or Departmental levels. There appears
to be no intention on their part to cause discussion on our charter of
demands. In this background we must revitalize and rejuvenate the
functioning of our Organizations at all levels. We have
received excellent reports of the strike preparation from all over the country.
DO EVERYTHING NEEDED TO MAKE THE 2ND SEPTEMBER, STRIKE A STUPENDOUS
SUCCESS.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
M.Krishnan
Secretary General
Saturday, August 29, 2015
COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 2ND SEPTEMBER STANDS
CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS REASSERT THE CALL FOR
UNITED ACTION
MARCH AHEAD UNITEDLY, MAKE THE COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL
STRIKE ON 2ND SEPTEMBER A MASSIVE SUCCESS
After two rounds of discussion between the Group
of Ministers and the central trade unions on the 12-point charter of demands of
the trade unions held on 26th and 27th August 2015, the GoM headed by Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley
sent an appeal through the press release dated 27-08-2015 (Press Information
Bureau) after 10 pm urging upon the trade unions to reconsider the call for
countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2015 claiming that the Govt has given
concrete assurance to consider most of the demands of the trade unions
and that the trade unions agreed to consider the Govt’s proposals. Similar
appeal was also made in the meeting of 27th August. Both the claims of the Govt are
totally incorrect.
To put the facts straight, the joint platform of
central trade unions have been pursuing with successive governments at the
centre with their basic demands since 2009 and observed three rounds of
countrywide general strike since 2010, the last being for two days in February
2013. In the two rounds of meeting between the CTUOs and the Group of Minister,
nothing transpired in concrete terms except vague statements by the ministers
on steps to be taken or being taken on some of the issues, that too not in the
right direction.
The Govt’s press release mentioned, inter alia,
certain issues in support of their unfounded claim.
1. The Govt stated about
“appropriate legislation for making formula based minimum wages mandatory and
applicable” for all. But despite concrete pointers made by the trade unions
that such formula should be what has already been unanimously recommended
by the 44th Indian Labour Conference
in 2012 and again reiterated by 46th Indian Labour Conference in July 2015 in which
the Govt of India is also a party, the Ministers did not give any
concrete commitment on the same. In fact said formulae recommended by 44th ILC in 2012 and reiterated by 46th ILC in July 2015, makes minimum wage around Rs 20000/-
at 2014 price level and the Trade Unions demanded only Rs 15,000/. The
Ministers’ vague formulation does not ensure even half of that. Is such a
position worth consideration?
2. On contract workers, the
Govt assured that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. What is there to
assure except spreading deliberate confusion? Existing laws of the land
lawfully ensures payment of minimum wages to contract workers. The Govt’s
statement regarding “sector specific minimum wages for the contract workers”
also does not make any sense. The trade unions demanded “same wages and other
benefits as regular workers in the concerned industry/establishment to be paid
to contract workers.” The 43rd Indian Labour Conference held in 2011 recommended the same and 46th ILC unanimously reiterated the same in 2015, in
which, again, the present Govt is a party. How could they deny the unanimous
recommendation of the highest tripartite forum in the country like Indian
Labour Conference?
3. The steps taken by the
Govt on Labour Law amendments, are meticulously designed to throw out more than
70% of the workers on industries and other establishments from the purview and
coverage of almost all basic labour laws and also to eliminate almost all
components/provisions of rights and protections of the workers. This was
supplemented by more aggressive steps already taken by a good number of state
governments to already amend the labour laws in the similar lines. On this
issue, the Govt stated only that they will hold tripartite consultation before
taking such steps. The trade unions demanded scrapping of such proposals
by the central govt and also not to give assents (through President) to the
unilateral amendments made by the state governments. Even in all the tripartite
consultations held on some of the proposals of the Govt, the trade unions’
unanimous suggestions has been ignored by the Govt in favour of loud supportive
applauds of the employers. Once these retrograde changes in labour laws totally
dismantling the rights and protection measures for the workers and also
throwing more that 70% of the workers out of the purview of labour laws are
enacted, thereby rendering the almost entire working people a right-less entity
in their workplace, what would ensure even payment of minimum wage and other
social security benefits for them, even if those provisions are improved ?
Can any trade union, worth its name accept such a machination designed to
impose conditions of virtual slavery on the working people ?
4. Despite repeated insistence
by all the trade unions, the Govt refused to concede to the demand for
recognizing the Scheme workers, viz., Anganwadi, Mid-day meal, ASHA,
Para-teachers and others as “worker” with attendant rights of statutory minimum
wages and other benefits in gross violation of the unanimous recommendation of
the 45thIndian Labour Conference in 2013, reiterated again by the 46th ILC in 2015. These workers and all the
schemes have been put to further crisis threatening their existence owing to drastic cut in budgetary allocations for those schemes. In such a situation,
does the assurance of the Govt to “extend social security measures” and
“working out ways” for the same carry any meaning?
5. On bonus issue, the Govt
has assured to revise the eligibility and calculation ceiling to Rs 21000/- and
Rs 7000/- respectively from existing Rs 10000/- and Rs 3500/-. Trade Unions’
demand has been that since there is no ceiling on profit, all ceilings in the
Payment of Bonus Act should be removed altogether. Trade unions also demanded
substantial upward revision of the formula for gratuity calculation and remove
the ceiling on gratuity payment. The Govt has negated the demands.
6. On price rise situation,
claim of the Govt that it has gone down does not match with ground reality in
respect of commodities for daily necessities of the common people. The demands
of the trade unions for putting a ban on speculation/forward trading in essential
commodities and services along with universalisation of public distribution
system throughout the country have been totally ignored.
7. Trade Unions demanded
stoppage of disinvestment in public sector undertakings playing crucial and
supportive role in advancement of the national economy. Govt totally ignored
the same, rather has been going on aggressively in disinvestment route in
all the major PSUs much to the detriment of the interest of the country’s
economy. On the demands for stoppage of further FDI in defence, railways
and financial sector, the stance of the Govt is continuing to be a total
denial. Rather, the Govt has been aggressively pursuing deregulation and
privatization in strategic sectors like electricity, Port & Docks, Airports
etc in a big way.
There are other issues as well, statement of
Govt continued to be totally vague and their claim is unfounded. How can
anybody, rather any trade union worth its name can consider above stands taken
by the Govt on vital demands of the workers as a positive development and move
out from the programme of united strike action ?
Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for
reconsidering the decisions of the Central Trade Unions for countrywide general
strike on 2nd September 2015. Rather,
the situation demands that there should be no vascillation in carrying forward
the call for general strike on 2nd September 2015 throughout the country in all
sectors of the economy with firm determination.
The Central Trade Unions appeal to all working
people irrespective of affiliations to make the call for countrywide general
strike against the anti-worker, anti-people policies of Govt a massive success.
Tapan Sen
General Secretary CITUFriday, August 28, 2015
Not employment but employability should be priority: Dr Jitendra Singh
The Union Minister of
State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS
PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr.
Jitendra Singh has said that “not employment but employability should be the priority”.
He was giving the inaugural address as chief guest at the "India Micro,
Small & Medium (MSME) Expo & Summit 2015", here today.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that in the years to come, India is going to be the major source of youth skill for the rest of the world because with more than 65% to 70% of the country’s population below the age of 35, India will not only be the youngest country in the world but also a major supplier of skilled youth and entrepreneur youth to the rest of the world. In other words, he said, “Make in India” youth will be seen in every nook and corner of world and we have to gear up for such a scene developing in the next few years.
At the same time, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, while roughly only about 40 lakh jobs are available in the government sector every year, the number of unemployed grows almost three times every year, that is, over 1.5 crore. To meet this challenge, the need of the hour would be not to depend on government jobs but to prepare our youth for employability without government patronage, he added.
Citing historic perspective, Dr. Jitendra Singh observed, the first three generations after independence, observed Dr. Jitendra Singh, continued to be influenced by colonial mindset and feudal dependence on empire. But now, as the Indian democracy evolves further, not only the youth are growing out of that mind-set but newer and alternative avenues are also emerging on the scene.
In this context, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the role of MSME in supporting, encouraging and promoting young entrepreneurship. He said, the uniqueness of the MSME is that although the Department is known as “Micro, Small ….”, it inspires craving to grow bigger and bigger. Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, he said, a number of such schemes including the MUDRA Bank for financial support and skill development programme for vocational training have been initiated which has started even attracting the NRI entrepreneurs who had settled abroad for several years but now wish to come back because they see an opportunity for themselves in India under Shri Narendra Modi.
MSME Secretary, Dr. Anup K.Pujari, MSME Foundation President, Rajneesh Goenka also spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that in the years to come, India is going to be the major source of youth skill for the rest of the world because with more than 65% to 70% of the country’s population below the age of 35, India will not only be the youngest country in the world but also a major supplier of skilled youth and entrepreneur youth to the rest of the world. In other words, he said, “Make in India” youth will be seen in every nook and corner of world and we have to gear up for such a scene developing in the next few years.
At the same time, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, while roughly only about 40 lakh jobs are available in the government sector every year, the number of unemployed grows almost three times every year, that is, over 1.5 crore. To meet this challenge, the need of the hour would be not to depend on government jobs but to prepare our youth for employability without government patronage, he added.
Citing historic perspective, Dr. Jitendra Singh observed, the first three generations after independence, observed Dr. Jitendra Singh, continued to be influenced by colonial mindset and feudal dependence on empire. But now, as the Indian democracy evolves further, not only the youth are growing out of that mind-set but newer and alternative avenues are also emerging on the scene.
In this context, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the role of MSME in supporting, encouraging and promoting young entrepreneurship. He said, the uniqueness of the MSME is that although the Department is known as “Micro, Small ….”, it inspires craving to grow bigger and bigger. Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, he said, a number of such schemes including the MUDRA Bank for financial support and skill development programme for vocational training have been initiated which has started even attracting the NRI entrepreneurs who had settled abroad for several years but now wish to come back because they see an opportunity for themselves in India under Shri Narendra Modi.
MSME Secretary, Dr. Anup K.Pujari, MSME Foundation President, Rajneesh Goenka also spoke on the occasion.
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