MAGNIFICENT RESPONSE TO THE STRIKE CALL OF CONFEDERATION

Circular From Confederation

Report from State Committees & Affiliates

Press Statement

Statement of Com.Basudeb Acharya M.P in Lok Sabha on 12.12.12

Notice for Confederation National Secretariat.

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS


Manihsinath Bhawan


A/2/95 Rajouri Garden


New Delhi. 110 027.


Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.


E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.




No. Conf/20/2012 Dated: 14th December, 2012




GLORIOUS RESPONSE TO STRIKE CALL




Dear Comrades,




                The one day strike on 12.12.12 in pursuance of the 15 point charter of demands elicited magnificent response from the Central Government employees. As per the reports received at the Confederation Headquarters from the State Committees and Affiliates, near about 70% of the CGEs whom the Confederation represents is reported to have participated in the strike action




                On behalf of the Secretariat, we convey our sincere gratitude and thanks to all our State/District/Branch level leaders and through them to all the members who participated in the strike.  We reproduce the Press statement issued by us on 12^th which is reflective of the extent of participation state-wise and organisation-wise.  During the three months long campaign and mobilisation programmes undertaken by our leaders, we could convincingly bring to the understanding of the rank and file of our membership the pernicious impact of the neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the Government since 1991.  The employees could realise more than ever before the need for united, organised and sustained struggles and responded admirably to the call.


                We were no doubt apprehensive of our decision to organise a day's strike sans the major section of the CGEs i.e. Railways and Defence Federations. We were also aware of the erosion of the efficacy of the Confederation came about in the background of prolonged confabulations and negotiations in the JCM sans struggles.   It, therefore, goes to the credit of the leaders of the affiliates and members of the State Committees that we could successfully overcome our weakness and bring about vibrancy and cohesiveness and enthuse our members for a decisive action.  The crowning success in our endeavour which was considered by many as adventurously risky in the beginning will embolden us to go ahead and chalk out much more intensive struggles in the days to come.


                The issues which we have projected through this highly successful strike action are of paramount importance and require to be settled without delay. We firmly believe that in the action programmes that will unfold in the coming months, those who did not have the courage to walk along with us on 12^th December, 2012 will join and this Government will be compelled to reverse its policies or perish.  We will ensure through sustained struggles and with unwavering determination that the PFRDA bill is withdrawn, the outsourcing, privatisation, contractorisation is ended; there are no informal, daily rated workers, the Grameen Dak Sewaks enjoy the  status, privileges , perks and salary of a regular employee;  discrimination on various matters like the compassionate appointment, overtime allowance, Bonus entitlement etc., is removed; that the Government employees enjoy the trade union rights, i.e. right to collective bargaining and strike,; that posts are created as per the work requirement; a decent career advancement scheme is evolved to all employees and above all revision of wages is effected through the setting up of the 7^th CPC together with the merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay for all purposes.




                We know there are innumerable problems, hurdles and difficulties.  We also know that nothing is insurmountable.  Let us with determination go ahead and intensify our campaign to make the next struggle, the two days strike on 20^th and 21^st February a grand success. 




                We must record our appreciation over the efforts of the State Committees in organising Press media meet and conferences, which immensely helped in getting widest possible coverage for the strike.   We thank those comrades who could persuade the honourable Members of Parliament to take up our problems with the Government.  Our communication to the Political Parties, Central Trade Unions, Federations and Associations has helped in bringing our demands and problems within the knowledge of the cross section of our countrymen.  We shall intensify our efforts in this regard. The strike action was covered extensively and widely by the Regional Electronic and Print Media and as usual was spurned by the National Media owned by the rich corporate houses.




                We express our gratitude to Com. Basudeb Acharya, Member of Parliament, Leader of the CPI(M) in Lok Sabha and a very senior leader of the CITU for raising our demands in the Parliament on 12^th December, 2012.  His submissions as it appeared in the Lok Sabha records are reproduced. 




`               The National Secretariat of the Confederation will meet on 2^nd January, 2013 at New Delhi.  Notice is issued separately and copy is enclosed.   We shall review the strike participation at the meeting with a view to remove the weakness manifested in certain areas during this struggle.  To help us to evolve the appropriate strategy to make the future struggles significantly of a higher dimension we request you to kindly favour us with a report in the following format.




For State Committees:


               


1.       Name of the State.


2.       Names of associations/Federations, which participated in the strike with percentage of participation.


3.       Name of the Associations/Federations, which did not take part in the strike.


4.       Names of those organisations which participated in the strike whose CHQ had not taken part in the action.


5.       Name of the Stations visited by the State leaders as part of the campaign.




For Affiliates.




1.       Name of the Federation/All India association.


2.       Number of Unit/.branches,


3.       Names of the Units which participated in the strike with the percentage of participation.


4.       Names of the Units which did not take part in the strike.


5.       Specific reasons advanced by the Units for non participation.


6.       Names of the Units visited by the Leaders.


With greetings,


Yours fraternally,






K.K.N. Kutty


Secretary General.




Enc:


Press Statement and Statement of Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P.














P R E S S     S T A T E M E N T




Dated: 12^th December, 2012




Nearly Ten lakhs Central Government employees took part in the one day token strike today, the 12^th December, 2012 on the call of the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, paralyzing the governmental functions in various departments throughout the country.  The strike was to protest against the continued efforts of the Government to enact the PFRDA Bill, whereby the existing defined benefit pension of Government employees is sought to be converted into a defined contributory pension scheme.  Every reason, the Government advanced at the time of the introduction of the new scheme is found to be incorrect and misleading by the Experts Committee set up by the Government itself.




Besides, the employees had been demanding wage revision by setting up the 7^th Central Pay Commission, filling up large number of vacant posts, regularization of the service of Grameen Dak Sewaks/Casual/daily-rated workers, revival of the negotiating machinery i.e. JCM, removal of restrictions on compassionate appointments, introduction of Public Distribution system to arrest the ever increasing prices of essential commodities, stoppage of outsourcing, contractorisation, privatization etc. 




As per the report received the strike was total in Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and beyond 80% in Maharashtra, Karnataka, U.P. Bihar, and about 60% in other States.  The Postal, Income tax, Groundwater Board departments came to a grinding halt in all States,  as the offices could not be opened at all. In Income tax Department, the promotee officers also joined the strike paving way of a complete closure.  Many establishments of Atomic Energy, Printing and Stationery, Defence accounts, Medical Depots, Audit and Accounts  Departments, Civil Accounts, CGHS, Indian Bureau of Mines, Directorate of Marketing Inspection, Geological Survey of India, Archaeological  and Botanical Survey of India etc. remained closed. 




The organizers of the Strike have asserted that they will make the general strike of workers slated for 20^th and 21^st February, 2013 a grand success by enlisting participation of  all sections of the Central Government employees. 




The Confederation will strive to organize an indefinite strike in pursuance of the 15 point charter of demands in 2013 if no settlement is brought about by the Government by then. 






                                                                           


Statement made by Com. Basudeb Acharya in Lok Sabha on 12.12.12




SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Chairman, Sir today, about one million of Central Government employees are on strike.....(interruptions) The employees' organisations in Postal, Income tax, Audit, Accounts, Printing and Stationery, Geological Survey of India, Customs, Central Excise, Indian Bureau of Mines, CGHS, Ground Water Board, Central Water Commission, Central Public Works, Census, Defence Accounts, Indian Space Research Organisation, Andaman Nicobar and Pondicherry Administrations and Medical Stores Depot are on strike..............(interruption)




Their demand is the constitution of Seventh Pay Commission....(Interruptions) It is due from Ist January, 2011 but the Government of India has not yet constituted the Seventh Pay Commission to consider the revision of Pay and allowances  to the Central Government employees.  They are agitating....(Interruptions)  After acceptance of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, there are several anomalies in their pay scales.  A Committee was constituted but that committee has failed to address the problem of anomalies in regard to their pay scales.........(interruptions)




Mr. Chairman. Hon. Members, Please go back to your seats.  Other Hon. Members are raising their issues. ...(.Interruptions.)


Mr.Chairman:  Hon. Members, I will call your leader.  Please take your seats...........(Interruptions)




SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA).  Sir, there is a joint consultative machinery to address the problem of Central Government employees but this JCM has become non functional...........(Interruptions) Their meetings are not being held.  As a result of that, the problems of Central Government employees are not being resolved. .............(Interruptions)




Mr. Chairman.  Shri P.K. Biju is associating with the matter raised by Shri Basu Deb Acharia. 




O0o




CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL


GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS


Manihsinath Bhawan


A/2/95 Rajouri Garden


New Delhi. 110 027.


Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.


E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.




Dated: 14th December, 2012


Notice




Notice is hereby given for a meeting of the National Secretariat on 2^nd January, 2013 at Manishinath Bhawan, New Delhi. 110027.  The meeting will commence at 14.30 hours.  The following shall be the


 agenda for discussion.




1.       Review of the participation in the 12^th December, 2012 strike and steps to be taken to enlist the participation of certain organisation in the future struggles.


2.       The campaign programme for the 20^th and 21^st two days strike action.


3.       Finalisation of the venue for the national conference of the Confederation.


4.       Any other matter with the permission of the chair.


K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General


To


All the Secretariat members.

GLORIOUS STRIKE BY CG EMPLOYEES - PRESS RELEASE BY CONFEDERATION HQ

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT 

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manishinath Bhawan, A2/95 Rajourigarden New Delhi-10027

website: confederationhq.blogspot. com.

e mail: confederation06@yahoo.co.in

 

P R E S S     S T A T E M E N T

 

Dated: 12^th December, 2012

 

Nearly Ten lakhs Central Government employees took part in the one day token strike today, the 12^th December, 2012 on the call of the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, paralyzing the governmental functions in various departments throughout the country.  The strike was to protest against the continued efforts of the Government to enact the PFRDA Bill, whereby the existing defined benefit pension of Government employees is sought to be converted into a defined contributory pension scheme.  Every reason, the Government advanced at the time of the introduction of the new scheme is found to be incorrect and misleading by the Experts Committee set up by the Government itself.

 

Besides, the employees had been demanding wage revision by setting up the 7^th Central Pay Commission, filling up large number of vacant posts, regularization of the service of Grameen Dak Sewaks/Casual/daily-rated workers, revival of the negotiating machinery i.e. JCM, removal of restrictions on compassionate appointments, introduction of Public Distribution system to arrest the ever increasing prices of essential commodities, stoppage of outsourcing, contractorisation, privatization etc. 

 

As per the report received the strike was total in Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and beyond 80% in Maharashtra, Karnataka, U.P. Bihar, and about 60% in other States.  The Postal, Income tax, Groundwater Board departments came to a grinding halt in all States,  as the offices could not be opened at all. In Income tax Department, the promotee officers also joined the strike paving way of a complete closure.  Many establishments of Atomic Energy, Printing and Stationery, Defence accounts, Medical Depots, Audit and Accounts  Departments, Civil Accounts, CGHS, Indian Bureau of Mines, Directorate of Marketing Inspection, Geological Survey of India, Archaeological  and Botanical Survey of India etc. remained closed. 

 

The organizers of the Strike have asserted that they will make the general strike of workers slated for 20^th and 21^st February, 2013 a grand success by enlisting participation of  all sections of the Central Government employees. 

 

The Confederation will strive to organize an indefinite strike in pursuance of the 15 point charter of demands in 2013 if no settlement is brought about by the Government by then.  

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General

To  All The Chief Reporters, and Editors  for favour of publication.

12.12.12 STRIKE - PRESS STATEMENT BY CONFEDERATION

 

CONFEDERATION RELEASES PRESS STATEMENT TODAY ON 12.12.12 STRIKE

 

STATE COMMITTEES AND  ORGANISATIONS AT ALL LEVELS ARE REQUESTED TO ISSUE SIMILAR PRESS RELEASES TO LOCAL PRESS

 

USE ALL MEDIA POWER TO HIGHLIGHT OUR DEMANDS AND STRIKE

 

MOBILIZE IN FULL SWING FOR TOTAL SUCCESS OF TOMORROW'S STRIKE

 

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manihsinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027.

Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.

E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

 

Dated: 11^th  December, 2012

D/14/2012(1)

PRESS  STATEMENT

 

            About a million Central Government employees will take part in the one day token strike tomorrow, the 12^th December, 2012.  The employees organisations in the Postal, Income-tax, Audit and Accounts, Printing and Stationery, Geological Survey of India, Survey of India, Customs, Central Excise,  Indian Bureau of Mines, CGHS, Ground Water Board, Central Water Commission, Central Public Works, Census, Atomic Energy Commission, Defence Accounts, Indian Space Research Organisation, Andaman Nicobar and Pondicherry Administration, Medical Stores depot and many other Public Utility Departments of the Government of India have confirmed their participation in the strike action.  The strike is organised by the apex level Confederation of Central Govt. employees and workers, New Delhi on the basis of the strike notice served on 19.11.2012 for a settlement of the 15 Point charter of demands (copy enclosed)

 

            The Central Government employees throughout the country are agitated over the Government's fresh move to enact the PFRDA Bill in this session of the Parliament.  It is surprising that even after the uncontested findings of the Committee set up by the Government that the new Contributory Pension Scheme will only increase financial outflow for the Government and the beneficiaries also stand to lose heavily on account of it, the Government has chosen to go ahead with the New Scheme.  The recent decision of the Government to allow FDI in pension sector will only further help the transnational corporation to access to the hard earned savings of the Indian Common people to maximise their profit.

 

            Apart from scrapping the New Pension scheme, the employees are demanding the setting up of the 7^th Central Pay Commission for wage revision, reintroduction of the Universal Public Distribution system stoppage of outsourcing of Governmental functions, contractorisation, privatisation etc. regularisation of Grameen Dak Sewaks, contingent, casual and daily rated workers, lifting the ban on creation of posts, filling up the vacant posts  revival of the negotiating forum, JCM etc.

 

            Due to the breakdown of the negotiating machinery, there had been no dialogue between the Government and the employees for the past several years.  The employees are extremely critical of the attitude of the Government using  the sovereignty of the Parliament to reject the award given in favour of the workers by the Board of Arbitration which is not only contrary to the terms of arbitration but unethical too.  The continuing vindictive attitude of the C& AG administration against the employees and union functionaries for normal and peaceful trade union activities is highly deplorable. 

            If the Government refuses to take note of the resentment and initiate steps to bring about settlement, the agitation is bound to escalate in the form of indefinite strike action encompassing even other section of the employees. 

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

To the Chief Reporters/Editors for favour of publication in your esteemed New paper.

 

CHARTER OF DEMANDS.

1. Revise the wages of the Central Government employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks with effect from 1.1.2011 and every five years thereafter by setting up the 7th CPC.

2. Merge DA with pay for all purposes with effect from. 1.1.2011 including for Gramin Dak Sewaks.

3. Remove restriction imposed on compassionate appointments and the discrimination on such appointments between the Railway workers and other Central Govt. employees.

4. (a) Departmentalise all Grameen Dak Sewaks and grant them all benefits of regular employees; End Bonus discrimination and enhance bonus ceiling to 3500/-; withdraw open market recruitment in Postman / MTS cadre; Revise cash handling norms; Grant full protection of TRCA; Grant Time Bound Promotion and Medical Reimbursement facility etc,

(b) Regularise the daily rated, contingent, casual workers and introduce a permanent scheme for periodical regularization. Pending regularization, provide them with pro-rata salary at 6th CPC rates.

5. (a) Revive the functioning of the JCM. Convene the meeting of the Departmental Councils in all Ministries/Departments. Settle the anomalies raised in the National Anomaly Committee as also in the Departmental Anomaly Committees. Hold National Council meetings as specified in the JCM constitution. (b) Remove the anomalies in the MACP Scheme.(c) Grant recognition to all Associations/Federations, which have complied with the formalities and conditions stipulated in the CCS(RSA) Rules.

6. Fill up all vacant posts and creates posts n functional requirements.

7. Stop downsizing outsourcing, contractorization, corporatization and privatisation of Governmental functions.

8.Stop price rise; strengthen the PDS.

9. (a) Stop the proposal to introduce the productivity linked wage system; (b) discard the performance related pay structure; (c) introduce PLB in all Departments; (d) remove the ceiling on emoluments for bonus computation.

10. Revise the OTA, Night duty allowance and clothing rates.

11. Implement all arbitration awards;

12. Make the right to strike a legal and fundamental right of the Government employees on par with the other section of the working class.

13. Grant Five promotions to all employees as is provided for in the case of Group A services.

14. (a) Withdraw the PFRDA Bill. (b) Rescind the decision to allow FDI in pension sector;(c) Scrap the new contributory pension scheme (d) Extend the existing statutory defined pension scheme to all Central Govt. employees irrespective of their date of entry in Government service.

15. Vacate all Trade Union victimisation, and more specifically in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department

CONFEDERATION SOUGHT THE INTERVENTION OF COMRADE BASUDEV ACHARYA M.P TO OPPOSE GOVERNMENT MOVE TO REJECT ARBITRATION AWARDS IN PARLIAMENT

GOVERNMENT  IS MOVING AHEAD TO REJECT SOME ARBITRATION AWARDS

BY TAKING THEM TO PARLIAMENT IN THE SHAPE OF RESOLUTIONS

 

ARBITRATION AWARDS ON TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE AND HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE

ARE BEING TAKEN TO PARLIAMENT

 

CONFEDERATION SEEKS THE SUPPORT OF COMRADE BASUDEV ACHARYA M.P TO  OPPOSE THE RESOLUTIONS

 

CONFEDERATION LETTER TO COMRADE BASUDEV ACHARYA IS PLACED HEREUNDER

 

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT 

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manishinath Bhawan

A2/95 Rajourigarden

New Delhi-10027

website: confederationhq.blogspot. com.

e mail: confederation06@yahoo.co.in

Conf/ 14/2012 Dated: 29^th November, 2012-11-29

 

Dear Comrade,

 

                Kindly refer to the Lok Sabha Bulletin Part II Nos. 4687-4695 Wednesday, November, 21 2012  and the discussion your office had with us in the matter  The Government has proposed to move two resolutions  i.e. No. 4693 and 4694.  As desired by you we send herewith the draft of the counter resolution to be moved by you in the matter. 

 

Against Resolution No. 4693:                                   Text of the Counter resolution.

 

From whom received.   Ministry concerened.    

Shri Basudeb Acharya.   Finance.                              This house disapproves the proposal of the Government to reject the award given on 24^th November, 2005 by the Board of Arbitration in CA Reference case No. 3 of 2004 regarding revision of rates of transport allowance to the Central Government employees as the expenditure to be incurred is not going to be Rs. 1232 crores.   The increased allowance is to be given for only two months i.e. November, 2005 and December, 2005 as Transport allowance at much higher rates has already been paid from 1.1.2006 onwards.

 

 

Against Resolution No. 4694.                                   Text of the Counter resolution.

 

Shri Basudeb Acharya. Finance                                  This house disapproves the proposal of the Government to reject the award given on 6.4.2004 by the Board of Arbitration in CA reference case No. 2 of 2002 regarding grant of house rent allowance to the Central Government employees for the period from 1.1.2996 to 31.7.1997  at pre revised rates but with reference to revised pay.  This is only a one time expenditure for the period of 19 months and logically to be related to the revised pay as was obtaining at the relevant point of time.  Since this expenditure will be met from the savings in the Budget under the head Salaries no diversion of any funds are to take place.

 

                   With greetings,

                   Yours fraternally,

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General

 

 

HON'BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM ODISHA STATE INTERVENED FOR OUR STRIKE CHARTER

CONFEDERATION REQUESTED ALL STATE LEVEL LEADERS TO MEET THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AT ALL LEVELS TO SEEK THEIR INTERVENTION IN OUR STRIKE ISSUE

 

ODISHA COMRADES HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ATTENDED TO THIS TASK AND TWO HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM ODISHA HAVE WRITTEN TO HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER ON OUR BEHALF

 

TAKE COPIES OF THESE LETTERS OF MPs AND QUICKLY MEET  YOUR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCY PARLIAMENT MEMBERS FOR SIMILAR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT

 

 

 

 

CONFEDERATION WRITES TO POLITICAL PARTIES - MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT - CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS ON 12.12.12 STRIKE

CONFEDERATION LETTERS TO POLITICAL PARTIES - MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT - & - CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS ARE PLACED HEREUNDER

 

STATE GENERAL SECRETARIES OF CONFEDERATION AND CIRCLE SECRETARIES OF AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS TO CONFEDERATION ARE REQUESTED TO TAKE OUT COPIES OF THE THREE LETTERS AND ORGANISE MEETING THE L OCAL MPs - STATE POLITICAL PARTIES AND STATE COMMITTEES OFNATIONAL PARTIES AS WELL AS STATE ORGANISATION OF CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS,  SEEKING THEIR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT TO OUR 12.12.12 STRIKE

 

ALL DISTRICT LEVEL ORGANISATIONS ARE REQUESTED TO MEET THEIR LOCAL MPs AND SEEK THEIR SUPPORT TO OUR STRIKE

 

CONFEDERATION WRITES TO CENTRAL TUs SEEKING SUPPORT

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manihsinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027.

Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.

E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

 

Dated: 22^nd November, 2012

D/14/2012(1)(CTU)

 

Dear  Comrade,

 

                The Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, the apex level organisations of Associations/Federations/Unions of CG employees other than those working in the Railways and Defence had to take a decision to call upon its members to organise a day's strike on 12^th December, 2012 due to the persisting nugatory attitude of the Government in settling the long pending demands.   The Government has almost shut down all negotiation in the JCM forum in so far as employees of the departments who we represent are concerned.  The Departmental Council meetings are not convened for decades; with the result none of the issues could be even discussed.

 

                The demands inter alia include the scrapping of the new pension scheme; withdraw the PFRDA Bill; reintroduce the universal Public distribution system to help out the workers and other poor people; stoppage of outsourcing and the consequent contractorization; regularisation of the casual and contingent and daily rated workers and the Grameen Dak Sewaks whose number has increased phenomenally in the last two decades; setting up the 7^th CPC for wage revision which has become due on 1.1.2011(having completed 5 years since the last revision in 2006); removal of the arbitrary restrictions on compassionate appointments; revival of the negotiating forum i.e. JCM etc. We send herewith an explanatory Note on these demands in pursuance, of which we are organising the strike on 12^th December, 2012. 

 

                We shall be grateful for your support and solidarity to make our struggle successful.  We shall also be thankful if you will kindly take up our demands with the Government for settlement.

 

                Thanking you and with greetings,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

                               

                     

 CONFEDERATION WRITES TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manihsinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027.

Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.

E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

 

Dated: 22^nd November, 2012

D/14/2012(2)(MP)

Dear Sir,

                The Confederation of Central Government employees and workers is the apex level organisation of all Federation/Association/Unions of CGEs other than in the Railways and Defence establishments.  In our last National Council meeting, we were constrained to decide to call upon our members to organise a day's strike on 12^th December, 2012 in pursuance of a 15 Point charter of demands.

                As you are aware, it was in the wake of a strike action in 1960s by the Central Govt. Employees, the Govt. of India set up permanent negotiating machinery called JCM so that the employees will be able to raise their demands and grievances and seek settlement thereof through dialogue.  This machinery has now come to a standstill as the Govt. does not convene the meetings of the councils at the Departmental levels on one pretext or the other.  A new set of rules were promulgated in 1993 to grant recognition to Service Associations.  Many Ministries, despite the employees organizations abiding by the stipulated conditions, have not afforded recognition to the Associations/Federations, thereby closing all channels of communication.  The JCM had the facility of referring the issues on which the Government could not agree upon to the Board of Arbitration.  The decision/award of the Board was binding on all parties.  However, of late the Government had been rejecting the awards in favour of the employees on the specious plea of adverse impact on national economy by presenting resolutions in the Parliament.  We need not emphasise the unethical character of this approach which undermines the confidence of the employees in the fairness of the system.  Two such awards have been moved for rejection in this session of the Parliament. 

                The 6^th CPC recommendations and its implementation had given rise to various anomalies.  The employees genuinely felt that the said anomalies would be removed through discussions for which the Government had set up a committee.  The Committee despite meeting on four occasions had not been able to settle the issues; nor could it be referred to the Arbitrator. The 6^th CPC recommendations were implemented with effect from 1.1.2006.  The revision of wages was due on 1.1.2011. The Government has not so far come forward to set up the 7^th CPC. 

                The new contributory pension scheme was introduced by the Government on the plea that the pension liability has become unbearable and is a drag on the exchequer.  In our Memorandum to the Prime Minister, we had raised several issues and had pointed out that the financial outflow on account of the new scheme will be much more than the existing defined benefit scheme. We had indicated in our memorandum quite a number of aspects which would be detrimental to the interest of workers. We were not even favour with a reply to our memorandum.

                Recently the Union Cabinet has decided to allow FDI in pension fund operations.  This will only result in the flow of Indian Savings for investment outside the country.  The PFRDA Bill is slated as Item No. 8 for the consideration of the Parliament in this session.  The real intent of the bill is reflected from the decision taken by the Union Cabinet to allow FDI in this Sector.  This bill being not in the national interest must not be allowed to become an Act. 

                We enclose an explanatory Note on our charter of demands, which include setting up of the 7^th CPC for wage revision, regularisation of GDS as Postal employees, raising the Bonus ceiling in the case of GDS on par with other workers in the country, removal of restriction of compassionate appointments, withdrawal of PFRDA Bill and grant of defined benefit pension to all Central Govt. employees; acceptance and implementation of the awards of Board of Arbitration, revival of public distribution system for making essential commodities available to the people at affordable prices; vacation of victimisation in the IA&A  Department etc.

                We seek your solidarity and support and request you to kindly raise these issues in the Parliament and ask the Government to settle the demands of the Government employees.

                Thanking you and soliciting your help once again,

Yours faithfully,

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General

 

 CONFEDERATION WRITES TO  POLITICAL PARTIES SEEKING SUPPORT

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manihsinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027.

Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.

E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

 

Dated: 22^nd November, 2012

D/14/2012(2)(PP)

 

Dear Sir,

                We write this to request you to kindly intervene and take up the issues/demands and grievances of the Government employees with the Government.

 

                As you are aware, the Government had been systematically and continuously shedding its functions since 1991.  This policy decision has resulted in outsourcing many of the sovereign functions of the Government.  Presently as much as one third of the manpower employed by the Government is casual/contingent/daily rated or contract workers who are given pittance of emoluments. Half of the workforce of the Postal Department, (which employs more than three lakhs of employees,) is Grameen Dak Sewaks.  They are not even treated as Government employees.  For decades they work on hourly rate salary system.  Both the GDS and the other casual workers are employed for carrying out permanent and perennial nature of work.  The Government thus violates the laws of the land with impunity.  No scheme is in vogue today for their regularisation. The Govt. refuses to induct them as regular employees even after decades of service to their credit.

 

                The Government employees were entitled for a statutory defined benefit pension scheme.  The Government has denied it to those whoa re recruited after 1.1.2004. The post 2004 entrants are brought within the purview of the New Contributory Pension scheme, thereby making their pension entitlement subject to the market vagaries.  The reason adduced by the Government for effecting the switch over from the defined benefit scheme to the defined contributory scheme was the increasing financial burden on account of the pension liability. The Committee set up by the Govt. to go into the matter itself has opined that the new contributory scheme would only make the financial burden to increase further. 

 

                The Union Cabinet has now decided to allow FDI in Pension fund operations.  This will pave way for the foreign monopoly houses to garner the savings of Indian people and maximise their profit. The real intent of brining in the PFRDA Bill has become unambiguously clear from the decision of the Union cabinet to allow FDI in pension fund management.

 

                The  negotiating machinery which was set up by the Government in 1964 to address the issues and grievances of the Civil servants called the JCM in the wake of the 1960- strike has been made non functional for the Govt. do not convene its council meetings, especially at the Departmental levels.  Even when it meets occasionally, the art of procrastination prevails. The machinery had a dispute settlement mechanism whereby the issues on which the Government could not agree could be referred to the Board of Arbitration, whose decision was to be final and accepted by both the parties.  There are presently seventeen awards given in favour of the employees.  The Govt. has decided to move resolution in the Parliament to reject every one of them.  Two such awards are coming up for rejection in this session of the Parliament.

                There are very many other issues, which are of extreme concern to the employees' viz. the never abating rise in prices of essential commodities, the restoration of compassionate appointments; the overdue wage revision; the untenable vindictive actions against the union functionaries especially in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department etc.  Having failed to reach any reasonable settlement through dialogue the Confederation in its last National Council meeting was constrained to take decision for a one day token strike on 12^th December, 2012 in pursuance of the 15 point charter of demands.  We send herewith a copy of the Explanatory Note on these demands.

 

                We once again request you to kindly intervene and persuade the Government to settle these issues.

 

                Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General