6% DA HIKE FROM JANUARY 2015 – ALL INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (INDUSTRIAL WORKERS) FOR DECEMBER 2014 RELEASED.

6% DA HIKE FROM JANUARY 2015 – ALL INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (INDUSTRIAL WORKERS) FOR DECEMBER 2014 RELEASED.

With all 12 indices for calculating DA from January 2015 in hand now, DA from January 2015 confirmed to be 113%

EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER FEBRUARY-2015

MAKE INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 6^TH MAY-2015

A HISTORIC SUCCESS

          The Government of India and Department of Posts is not serious to settle the genuine demands of Postal employees. The common demands of D. A. merger, Interim relief, inclusion of GDS in 7^th C.P.C. alongwith other demands have been rejected by the Government of India. The way through which Pay Commission seems to be working is not going to submit its report in the due period and no more benefit is expected to come in the wake of economic policies being pursued by Modi Government.

The genuine and justified demands of all sections of Postal , RMS and GDS employees are lying pending since long and Postal Board does not seem to be serious about the settlement of the same which are creating more difficulties to the employees.

The Postal JCA had submitted a 39 Points Charter of Demands on 1^st September, 2014 conveying the grievances of all sections but the Department did not pay any attention to this. Being aggrieved the Postal Joint Council of Action of NFPE, FNPO and GDS unions decided unanimously to start agitational programmes in a phased manner culminating in to an indefinite strike from 6^th May, 2015 and served notice to the Department. After receiving notice Department of Posts has convened a meeting on 5^th February, 2015. In the mean time Task Force Committee headed by TSR Subramaian constituted as per direction of Prime Minister  has submitted its report which has categorically mentioned to divide Department of Post in six holding Companies/Corporations to pave the way for privatization, which is a very disastrous move to destroy this department  just like BSNL. The Task Force Committee has also recommended amendment of Indian Post Office Act 1898 to give legality and licenses to Couriers Companies.

After studying Task Force Committee Report PJCA met again and decided to resist the retrograde recommendations of Task Force Committee and further submitted revised Charter of Demands mentioning “No Corporatization and No Privatization in Postal Services”   as item no. 1 and previous items as serial No. 2 to 40. Revised 40 points Charter of Demands has been submitted to the Department and discussion will take place between Postal Board and PJCA leaders on 5^th Feb 2015. If the Department does not agree to stop such type of move the PJCA will intensify the agitational programmes with full strength.

Now we are facing a very crucial and critical situation. In the wake of economic policies of Central Government entire Central Government employees including Postal employees are facing serious threat for their survival. The question before us is –Are we able to protect our department and our jobs? or Are we going to surrender? The answer is no. We are not going to surrender before these attacks. We will continue to fight against these policies as we have fought earlier on so many occasions

The 145 days strike by Postmen of Pune  in 1880, 120 days strike by Postmen of Mumbai in 1920, 25 days historic strike in 1946, 5 days strike  in 1960, 1 day strike in 1968 for minimum wages , Bonus Strike of 1974, 1 day strike on 19^th September, 1984 for emancipation of GDS (ED)  employees, 1993 five days strike,1996 - 4  days strike 1998, 7 days strike 2000 Dec-14 days strike , one day strike on 12.12.12 and two days strike on 12^th & 13^thFebruary, 2013 are our rich heritage which shows that we have always fought with full enthusiasm and courage and defeated the retrograde and anti working  class policies of the Government of India.

 So Comrades, NFPE along with PJCA appeals to all of you to intensify the campaign. Form JCA at all levels and popularize the demands among all sections of Postal Employees and get ready for another battle to be launched  from 6^th May-2015  to save the Postal Department and to save our jobs and defeat the retrograde  policies of Central Government  and disastrous recommendations of Task Force Committee.

If we fight unitedly. We will win certainly.

This a “Do or Die Battle” for all of us.

லட்சக் கணக்கில் செலவு செய்து கட்டிடங்களை அழகு படுத்தாதே ! அடிப்படை கட்டுமானங்களை வழங்கு !

போராட்டக் களம் நோக்கி தமிழக அஞ்சல் மூன்று மற்றும் GDS  சங்கம் !

மூன்று கட்ட போராட்டம் ! 

முதற் கட்டம் கோட்ட/ கிளைகளில்  

கோரிக்கை மனு அளித்து ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் !

இரண்டாவது கட்டம் 

மண்டல மாநில அளவில்  தொடர் முழக்கப்  போராட்டம் ! 

மூன்றாவது கட்டம் 

மாநிலம் தழுவிய ஒரு நாள் வேலை நிறுத்தம் !

தமிழக அஞ்சல் நிர்வாகமே !

CBS /CIS   அதிரடி MIGRATION என்ற பெயரில் ஊழியர்களை 

கொடுமைப் படுத்தாதே !

CBS /CIS  குளறுபடிகளுக்கு உடனடி தீர்வு கொடு !  

பொது மக்களிடம் ஊழியர்களை  அசிங்கப்படுத்தாதே !

TARGET என்ற பெயரில் எந்தவித அடிப்படை 

வசதியும் செய்து கொடுக்காமல் INDOOR  ஊழியர்கள் 

மற்றும் GDS  ஊழியர்களை கொடுமைப் படுத்தாதே !

EPOST  என்ற பெயரில் சினிமா நடிகைகளுக்கும்  

அரசியல் வாதிகளுக்கும் காவடி தூக்கும், இலாக்காவை 

அசிங்கப்படுத்தும்  அதிகாரிகள் மீது  ஒழுங்கு 

நடவடிக்கை எடு !

ஆட்பற்றாக்குறையை உடனே நீக்கு ! 

SANCTIONED  STRENGTH  மற்றும் WORKING  STRENGTH  க்கு இடையிலான காலிப் பணியிடங்களை உடனே நிரப்பு !

IRREGULAR ASSESSMENT  செய்த அதிகாரிகள் மீது 

ஒழுங்கு நடவடிக்கை எடு !

ஆட்பற்றாக்குறைக்கு உடனே  OUTSOURCING  வழங்கிடு !

OUTSOURSING  வழங்கவில்லையானால்  OUTSOURSED  வேலைகளை 

ஊழியர்கள் புறக்கணிப்போம்  என்ற முடிவுக்கு தள்ளாதே !

ஞாயிறு  மற்றும் பண்டிகை தினங்களில் 

ஊழியர்களை பணிக்கு உத்திரவிடாதே ! 

MEETTING /MELA /TRAINING  போடாதே ! 

ஊழியர் அடிப்படை உரிமையை பறிக்காதே !

24 X  7 என்று MNC  COMPANY  போல அடிப்படை விதிகளை மீறி 

அஞ்சல் பகுதியில்  'கோமாளி' உத்திரவுகளை  போடும் 

அதிகாரிகளை கட்டுப்படுத்து ! 

CPMG  யுடனான எழுத்துபூர்வமான ஒப்பந்தந்தத்தை மீறி வயதானவர்களை கட்டாய 'SHRAMDHAN'  உத்திரவிடும் 

PTC  இயக்குனர் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடு !

தோழர். ஜெயக்குமார் சாவு போல 

'இன்னொரு சாவு' ஏற்படுத்தாதே !

எழுத்தர் தேர்வு முடிவுகளை ஆண்டுக்கணக்கில் 

தாமதப்படுத்தும் நிர்வாகத்தின் தூக்கத்தை  கலைத்திடு !

தேர்வு முடிவுகளை உடனடியாக வெளியிடு ! 

ஊழியர்களை பணிக்கு அமர்த்து !

பழுது பட்ட, காலாவதியான  கணினி மற்றும் 

அதன் உபபொருட்களான PRINTER , UPS, BATTERY , 

GENERATOR களை  உடனே மாற்று !

லட்சக் கணக்கில் செலவு செய்து கட்டிடங்களை அழகு படுத்தாதே ! 

அடிப்படை கட்டுமானங்களை வழங்கு !

வேலை செய்யாத  ATM  களுக்கு 

லட்சக்கணக்கில் தினம் தினம் கட்டிடமா ?

வேலை செய்யும் ஊழியர்களுக்கு  SCANNER  கூட இல்லையா ? 

 PRINT  எடுக்க PAPER கூட இல்லையா ?

 BARCODE  STICKER  கூட இல்லையா ?

இதற்கெல்லாம் பணம் அடியோடு இல்லவே இல்லையா ?

மூன்று ஆண்டுகளாய் தேங்கிக் கிடக்கும் 

LSG  பதவி உயர்வு என்னாச்சு ?

REVISED  RECTT . RULES  அடிப்படையில்

HSG II, HSG I பதவி உயர்வு என்னாச்சு ?

தொழிற்சங்க நடவடிக்ககளுக்காக பழிவாங்கும் 

 தென் மண்டல நிர்வாகத்தை கட்டுப் படுத்து !   

தொழிற்சங்க நடவடிக்கைகளுக்காக  சட்டத்தை மீறி 

வழங்கப் பட்ட தண்டனைகளை ரத்து செய் !

சட்டத்தை குப்பையில் போடும்  திண்டுக்கல் 

கோட்ட அதிகாரியின் கொட்டத்தை அடக்கு !

ஊழல் அதிகாரிகள் மீது ஒழுங்கு நடவடிக்கை எடு !

இடமாற்றம் மட்டும் செய்யாதே !

ஆள் இல்லாத நேரத்தில் ஆள் நிரப்பும் 

கூடங்களாக பயிற்சி மையங்களா ?

கண்மூடித்தனமான WCTC  பயிற்சிகளை உடனே நிறுத்து !

CBS அசுர வேகம் ! SANCHAY  POST  TRAININGம்  அசுர வேகம் ! 

ஏன் இந்த முரண்பாடு ! தேவையற்ற SANCHAY  POST TRAINING  ஐ 

உடனே நிறுத்து !

கணினி உபகரணங்களுக்கு AMC உடனே  அறிவி !

கண்மூடித்தனமாக STAMP  VENDOR  பதவிகளை ஒழிக்காதே !

COUNTER இல் பணிபுரியும் ஊழியர்களை 

மேலும் மேலும் கொடுமைப் படுத்தாதே !

பொது மக்கள் உபயோகத்திற்கு  ரூ. 4/- ரூ. 5/  

DENOMINATION STAMP  உடனே வழங்கு ! 

CARD , COVER , ACK  CARD , RPLI  RECEIPT  BOOK, PASS  BOOK, 

PAY IN SLIP ,  B .O .DAILY ACCOUNT உள்ளிட்ட அத்தியாவசிய 

பொருட்களை உடனே வழங்கு !

மாதாந்திரப் பேட்டிகளை நடத்திடாத 

கோட்ட அதிகாரிகள் மீது  நடவடிக்கை எடு  !

மற்றும் தேங்கிக் கிடக்கும் கோட்ட அளவிலான 

பிரச்சினைகளை உடனே தீர்த்து வை !

கோட்ட/ கிளைச் செயலர்கள் கூட்டத்தில் பெறப்பட்ட கோரிக்கை மனுக்களை  சரி செய்து MEMORANDAM  தயார் செய்யும் பணியில் மாநிலச் சங்கம் ஈடுபட்டுள்ளது . கூட்டத்திற்கு வர இயலாத கோட்ட/ கிளைச் செயலர்கள் உடன்  தங்கள் பகுதிப் பிரச்சினைகளை  மாநிலச் செயலருக்கு EMAIL  மூலம் அனுப்பிட கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறோம். பிப்ரவரி  முதல் வாரத்தில் முதற் கட்ட போராட்டம்  அறிவிக்கப்படும் !  கோட்ட/ கிளைச் செயலர்கள் தயார் நிலையில்  இருக்க வேண்டுகிறோம்.! இரண்டாவது கட்ட  போராட்டத்தில்  வேலைநிறுத்த அறிவிப்பு மற்றும்   சட்ட பூர்வமான நோட்டீஸ்  வழங்கப்படும் !

இது நம் உரிமை காக்கும் போராட்டம் !  

நம் உணர்வுக்கான போராட்டம் !

போராட்ட உணர்வு பெருகட்டும் ! 

போராட்டத்  தீ பரவட்டும் !

CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS’ JOINT MEMORANDUM TO FINANCE MINISTER

17th January 2015

The Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Govt. of India,

 

North Block, New Delhi

 

Dear Sir,

We thank you for inviting the central trade unions representing the working people in the country in both organized and unorganized sector for this pre-budget consultation.

In the previous pre-budget consultation meeting with you held on 6th June 2014, we urged upon you to please consider a directional change in the economic policy regime from that pursued during the previous government which, you have also admitted, had landed the country’s economy in a bad situation. In fact, we had articulated our views and proposals on that premise. But we like to submit candidly that our proposals did not receive a positive response and the economic policies followed the same trajectory and made situation worse for the mass of the people during the intervening period.

Sir, the Mid Term Economic Analysis (2014-15) by Govt of India itself admitted that for the period under review despite increase in GDP growth rate, and a much bigger increase in profit of the corporate sector and big business lobby, the wages for the working people who actually create the GDP in both rural and urban areas plunged on the average. Overall standard of living of people deteriorated and unemployment situation in the country has not improved in the least. Much more jobs were lost owing to closure/lockout, retrenchment than created during the intervening period. And in the midst of such situation, the Govt has already decided to cut already budgeted expenditure in the social sector such as MNREGA, Health, Education etc which we strongly deplore.  Such a phenomenon warranted serious reconsideration on directional change in the economic policy regime and we again urge you for the same.

We express our serious concern and dismay over the manner the Govt have been pushing various major economic policy related decisions through promulgation of Ordinances. At least eight Ordinances were promulgated during last eight months of the new Govt. We record our determined opposition to such practice of Ordinance route of governance. In particular we also oppose the Ordinance on coal sector, insurance sector and on Land Acquisition Act and want you to please take note of the rousing opposition and struggles by the workers and the farmers against such disastrous exercises. We demand all such Ordinances should be withdrawn forthwith.

We wish that our candid observations, considered views and concrete proposals are taken in the right spirit and responded with all seriousness and given appropriate reflections in the ensuing budget 2014-15.

Our proposals:

Some of these specific proposals have time and again been placed by us in various policy making fora including the earlier pre-budget consultations. However, we would like to reiterate them, urging your positive response:

Take effective measures to arrest the spiraling price rise and to contain inflation; Ban speculative forward trading in commodities; Universalise and strengthen the Public Distribution System; Ensure proper check on hoarding; Rationalise, with a view to reduce the burden on people, the tax/duty/cess on petroleum products.

There must be massive investment in the infrastructure in order to stimulate the economy for job creation. The Mid Term Economic Analysis(2014-15) published by Govt of India has clearly mentioned about the failure of the PPP experiments in infrastructure development and opined for public investment. It is our considered view that the Public sector should take the leading role in this regard. The plan & non-plan expenditure should be increased in the budget to stimulate jobs creation and guarantee consistent income to people.

Minimum wage linked to Consumer Price Index must be guaranteed to all workers, taking into consideration the recommendations of the 15th Indian Labour Conference as enriched by Apex Court of the country as reiterated in 44th ILC in 2012. In any case, it should not be less than Rs.15,000/- p.m.

FDI should not be allowed in crucial sectors like defence production, telecommunications, Railways, financial sector, retail trade, education, health and media.

The public sector units played a crucial role during the year of severe contraction of private capital investment immediately following the outbreak of global financial crisis. PSUs should be strengthened and expanded. Disinvestment of shares of profit making public sector units should be stopped forthwith. Budgetary support should be given for revival of potentially viable Sick CPSUs

 

In view of huge joblosses and mounting unemployment problem, the ban on recruitment in Govt. deptts, PSUs and autonomous institutions (including recent Finance Ministry’s instruction to abolish those posts not filled for one year) should be lifted as recommended by 43rdSession of Indian Labour Conference. Condition of surrender of posts in govt. departments and PSUs should be scrapped and new posts be created keeping in view the new work and increased workload.

 

Proper allocation of funds be made for interim relief of 20% and 100% DA merge with basic pay and allowances including neutralization percentage be paid on merged DA in view of 7th CPC to all Govt. employees. Similarly, 100% DA of PSU employees be also merged with basic pay.

The scope of MGNREGA be extended to agriculture operations and urban areas as well and employment for minimum period of 200 days with guaranteed statutory wage be provided, as unanimously recommended by 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference. The drastic cut already inflicted on the MNREGA allocation should be restored.

The massive workforce engaged in ICDS, Mid-day meal scheme, Vidya volunteers, Guest Teachers, Siksha Mitra, the workers engaged in the Accredited Social Health Activities (ASHA) and other schemes be regularized. No to privatization of centrally funded schemes. Universalisation of ICDS be done as per Supreme Court directions by making adequate budgetary allocations.

Steps be taken for removal of all restrictive provisions based on poverty line in respect of eligibility coverage of the schemes under the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 and allocation of adequate resources for the National Fund for Unorganised Workers to provide for Social Security to all unorganized workers including the contract/casual and migrant workers in line with the recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and also the 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference.

Remunerative Prices should be ensured for the agricultural produce and Govt. investment public investment in agriculture sector must be substantially augmented as a proportion of GDP and total budgetary expenditure. It should also be ensured that benefits of the increase reach the small, marginal and medium cultivators only;

Budgetary provision should be made for providing essential services including housing, public transport, sanitation, water, schools, crèche health care etc. to workers in the new emerging industrial areas. Working women’s hostels should be set up where there is a concentration of women workers.

 

Requisite budgetary support for addressing crisis in traditional sectors like Jute, Textiles, Plantation, Handloom, Carpet and Coir etc.

 

Budgetary provision for elementary education should be increased, particularly in the context of the implementation of the ‘Right to Education’ as this is the most effective tool to combat child labour.

 

The system of computation of Consumer Price Index should be reviewed as the present index is causing heavy financial loss to the workers.

 

Income Tax exemption ceiling for the salaried persons should be raised to Rs.5 lakh per annum and fringe benefits like housing, medical and educational facilities and running allowances, Railways Running Staff and a staff in other deptts should be exempted from the income tax net in totality.

 

Threshold limit of 20 employees in EPF Scheme be brought down to 10 as recommended by CBT-EPF. Pension benefits under EPS unilaterally withdrawn by the Govt. should be restored. Govt. and Employers contribution be increased to allow sustainability of Employees Pension Scheme and for provision of minimum pension of Rs.3000/- p.m.

 

New Pension Scheme be withdrawn and newly recruited employees of central and state govts on or after 1.1.2004 be covered under Old Pension Scheme;

 

Demand for Dearness Allowance merger by Central Govt. and PSUs employees be accepted and adequate allocation of fund for this be made in the budget;

All interests and social security of the domestic workers to be statutorily protected on the lines of the ILO Convention on domestic workers.

The Cess Management of the construction workers is the responsibility of the Finance Ministry under the Act and the several irregularities found in collection of cess be rectified as well as their proper utilization must be ensured.

In regard to resource mobilization, we would like to emphasize the following:

 

A progressive taxation system should be put in place to ensure taxing the rich and the affluent sections who have the capacity to pay at a higher degree. The corporate service sector, traders, wholesale business, private hospitals and institutions etc. should be brought under broader and higher tax net. Increase taxes on luxury goods and reduce indirect taxes on essential commodities as at present the overwhelming majority of the populations are subjected to Indirect taxes that constitute 86% of the revenue.

Concrete steps must be taken to recover huge accumulated unpaid tax arrears which has already crossed more than Rs.5 lakh crore on direct and corporate tax account alone, and has been increasing at a geometric proportion. Such huge tax-evasion over and above the liberal tax concessions already given in the last two budgets should not be allowed to continue.

The SIT constituted for unearthing black money must deliver visible result which is yet to be seen. Effective measures should be taken to unearth huge accumulation of black money in the economy including the huge unaccounted money in tax heavens abroad and within the country. Finance Minister should make provisions to bring back the illicit flows from India which are at present more than twice the current external debt of US $ 230 billion. This money should be directed towards providing social security.

Concrete measures be expedited for recovering the NPAs of the banking system which is on the increasing trend again from the willfully defaulting corporate and business houses. By making provision in Banking Regulations Act, CMDs and Executives to be made accountable for creation of NPAs.

Tax on Long term capital gains to be introduced; so also higher taxes on the security transactions to be levied.

The rate of wealth tax, corporate tax, gift tax etc. to be expanded and enhanced.

ITES, outsourcing sector, Educational Institutions and Health Services etc. run on commercial basis should be brought under Service Tax net. Govt.

Small saving instruments under postal and other agencies be encouraged by incentivizing  commission agents of these scheme

OUR SERIOUS CONCERN:

 

We would like to express our strong resentment that the previous Govt. failed to positively respond to the collective voice of the Central Trade Unions on the very important issues concerning the working people of India, both organized and unorganized, consistently repeated in the form of a ‘10 point charter’ backed by several collective nationwide programmes. We expect that this Govt. will take initiative to discuss these issues with the Central Trade Unions in order to find a solution.

We also express our opposition to the so called Banking Reforms encouraging private sector/capitalists banking at the cost of public sector banks which saved the economy to an extent during the last global financial meltdown. We also oppose increase in limit of FDI and disinvestment of equity in insurance sector and FDI in pension. We strongly oppose the FDI in Defence and Retail Sector. Several such measures against the working men and women in this country including anti workers proposals contained in the New Manufacturing Policy have our strong opposition, as in our experience these kinds of measures have helped the growth of only a small section of the capitalists while the larger sections of the working population continue to be marginalized and impoverished.

We also oppose the hectic measures of changing labour laws in the name of labour reform both by the central and the state governments which are basically aimed at legitimizing ongoing widespread violations by the employers’ class and also throw out overwhelming majority of the workforce of the purview of the labour laws themselves at the total mercy of the employers.

POST BUDGET MEETING WITH TRADE UNIONS

 

Successive Finance Ministers have agreed to hold post budget meetings / consultations with the central trade unions. However, it has not been materialized except for one occasion. We understand such meetings did take place with the Corporate Associations/Employers Federations. We would like to importunate upon you to arrange such post budget meeting with trade unions also.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Brijesh Upadhyay BMS  S Q Jama INTUC    Harbhajan Singh Sidhu HMS D L Sachdeva  AITUC       Tapan Sen CITU

 R K Sharma AIUTUC  S P Tewari  TUCC    Monali  SEWA      Santosh Roy   AICCTU  Ashok Ghosh  UCTU     Shanmugan LPF

  Courtesy:http://vannamboodiri.com/2015/01/