Monday, December 26, 2011



CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS.
A-2/95,Manishinath Bhawan,Rajouri Garden, New Delhi-110 027
Website:www.confederationhq.blogspot.com.  Email:Confederation06@Yahoo.co.in
Tel: 011-2510 5324:  Mobile: 98110 48303

Conf/No 24/2011                                                                                                                 Dated: 24.12.2011



Dear Comrades,

National Council meeting and decisions.



                The National Council meeting as scheduled was held at Gananam Hotel Conference hall, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala on 16th December, 2011.  The National Council was inaugurated by Com. P. Rajiv, M.P. and was presided over by Com. Narasimhan, Vice President.  The meeting commenced with observance of two minutes silence to condole the death of comrades who passed away during the period between December, 2010 and December, 2011. The meeting specially moved and adopted a resolution to condole the death of Com. M.K. Pandhe, Member of the Polit bureau of CPI (M) and former General Secretary and President of CITU. 
 
                Com. Secretary General presented a brief report to the Council meeting touching upon the events of importance both at national and international arena. He also submitted a work report for the consideration of the house.  Decisions taken at the meeting on various agenda items are briefly as under:

 Agenda Item Nos 1 to 4. These agenda issues were discussed together.  The following were the conclusions.

(a)    Review of 25th March to Parliament Programme and the signature campaign

The meeting evaluated the participation of CGE in the programme as very good.  It however felt that had some State Committees and the affiliates taken a little more efforts to comply with the quota fixed, the target could have been achieved.  The campaign for eliciting the participation of large number of comrades from nearby stations in Delhi had not been properly undertaken.

Reviewing the efforts undertaken by the affiliates and state Committees in the matter of signature cam0paign, the meeting decided to record its disappointment over the laxity in the matter shown by many affiliates and State Committees.   The Council praised  the endeavour of the Kerala State Committee in the matter as that State alone accounted for almost 1/3rd of the total 3.5 lakhs signatures collected.

(b)   Subscription: The Secretary General informed the house that no improvement has been registered in the matter of remittance of subscription to CHQ by the affiliates.  He assured to present the receipt and payment position since the last conference to the next National executive.  The non-payment of subscription, he added, had a cascading effect in as much as the decision to start a journal, to effect intensive campaign on demands amongst the mass of the employees, the setting up of District level Committees etc., could not be implemented.  The Council asked the Sectt. to get in touch with each affiliate to ensure remittance.

(c)    Com. R.P. Singh informed the house that the Maharashtra State Committee will try to host the next Conference at Mumbai.  No final decision in the matter could be taken at the Council.

(d)   The Council felt that the charter of demands must be pursued with action programmes.  However, taking into account the fact that the Central Trade Unions have decided to organise a day’s strike on 28th Feb. 2012, the National Sectt. of the Confederation was authorised to chalk out campaign programme to popularise the demands and organise agitational programmes culminating in a day’s strike action  in the monsoon session of the Parliament (i.e. July- August, 2012). The earlier decision to organise a massive march to Parliament on the charter of demands was reiterated.  The date will be finalised by the National Sectt.   The campaign on the charter of demands will commence after 28th Feb. 2012. 

(e)   The Steering Committee’s decision to organise two hour walk out and demonstration on the next day of the taking up the PFRDA Bill in the Parliament was reiterated.  It was also decided that campaign on the ill effects of the Bill must be brought to the notice of all MPs and they may be requested to oppose the Bill.   Taking into account the unanimous decision of the Standing Committee to incorporate a minimum guaranteed pension, the Council decided to emphasise that the Central Government employees must be ensured with the guarantee of Minimum pension of 50% of the last pay drawn, family pension benefit and such other facilities as are presently available. 

Agenda Item No. 5.

Participation in the ensuing strike action on 28th Feb. 2012.


The Council unanimously endorsed the decision of the Central Trade Unions to organise a day’s strike action on 28th Feb. 2012 and a resolution was adopted to call upon all CGEs organisations affiliated to Confederation to take strenuous efforts to ensure the participation of all members in the strike action on 28th Feb. 2012.


Agenda Item No. 6, National anomaly committee - Secretary General informed the council that the National Anomaly Committee is slated to meet on 5th Jan. 2012.  He however, informed the members that no settlement on serious issues is likely to come out in the said meeting. 

 Agenda Item No.7

The Council adopted a resolution to be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary demanding the revival of the functioning of the Departmental Councils of Various Ministries.

Another resolution was adopted to extend the solidarity and support of the Confederation to the Postal Employees who have decided under the auspices of the Joint Council of Action of Postal organisations to embark upon indefinite strike in Jan. 2012 for the Postal Board did not honour the commitment made earlier especially in the matter of closure of RMS offices as per the suggestion of the McKenzie Committee report.

The Council decided to deplore through a resolution the terror attacks on T.U. Activists going on in West Bengal after the last general election. 

The Council also adopted a resolution demanding grant of regular recognition to NFPE enabling it to be represented in the NC of JCM.

                The Kerala State Committee had made excellent arrangements for the conduct of the Council meeting and for the stay of the Council members.  On behalf of the National Secretariat Com. KV Sreedharan, Vice President, Confederation profusely thanked the State Committee and the volunteer comrades who made it possible.  Com PG Saseendran, Secretary, Ernakulam District Committee of Confederation offered vote of thanks.


                With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N.Kutty

Secretary General


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

ORGANISE NATIONWIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE MOVE OF GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT PFRDA BILL

UPA GOVERNMENT GOES AHEAD WITH THE RETROGRADE PENSION REFORMS

 

UNDETERRED BY THE TEMPORARY DEFEAT ON ALLOWING FDI IN RETAIL TRADE, GOVERNMENT ENTERED INTO A PACT WITH MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY TO PUSH THROUGH PENSION PRIVATIZATION BILL

 
 UPA GOVERNMENT LED BY CONGRESS AND MAIN OPPOSITION LED BY BJP JOIN HANDS TO PRIVATIZE PENSION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN THE NAME OF DECISIONS OF STANDING COMMITTEE OF FINANCE ACCEPTED FOR INCORPORATION IN THE PROPOSED PFRDA BILL BY GOVERNMENT
 

PFRDA BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN UP FOR ADOPTION ON 21st DECEMBER IN PARLIAMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF OPPOSITION PARTIES EXCLUGING LEFT PARTIES

 

LEFT PARTIES ALONE STAND WITH THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
TO DEFEND OUR RIGHT TO SOCIAL SECURITY

 

COMRADE BASUDEV ACHARYA M.P MOVES AN AMENDMENT FOR GUARENTEEING MINIMUM STATUTORY PENSION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

 

STEERING COMMITTEE OF ORGANISATIONS AGAINST PFRDA CALLS UPON ALL CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO STAGE STRONG PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AT WORK SPOTS ON 22/12/2011

 

STEERING COMMITTEE DECIDEDS TO INTENSIFY THE STRUGGLE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF PFRDA

 

 

Dear Comrades,

 

The Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA has given a clarion call to agitate nationwide by staging strong protest demonstrations at all work spots on 22nd December, 2011 on the face of the decision of the Government to move the PFRDA Bill for adoption today in Parliament. The adoption of the bill is one of the most retrograde moves in the path of neo-liberalization surrender to international finance capital by the Government. The Social Security of all Government Employees is in peril. Let us agitatate strongly as per the call  of the Steering Committee communicated through the minutes of the meeting furnished below:

 

Minutes of the meeting of the Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill
held on 20th December 2011 at AIRF Head Quarters

(4, State Entry Road, New Delhi)

 

 

The steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill met at AIRF Head Quarters ie 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi on 20th December 2011. Following were present.

1.       Com Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary AIRF

2.       Com. Sukomal Sen, Sr Vice President, AISGEF

3.       Com C. Sreekumar, General Secretary, AIDEF

4.       Com. M. S. Raja, Secretary, Confederation of CG Employees & Workers

5.       Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU

6.       Com. OP Vasisht, AIDEF

7.       Com. Shyam Sundar, Secretary General, Bharat Central Pensioners' Confederation (BCPC)

 

Decisions:

1.       The PFRDA bill is expected to come up in the Lok Sabha on 21st Dec.2011.  The Steering Committee calls upon to hold 2-hour demonstration in the work place on 22nd December 2011 against passage of the bill and demanding its withdrawal.

2.       In case the bill does not come up in this session for some unforeseen circumstances (which has been extended upto 29th December 2011), the Steering Committee shall write to all MPs on the need to withdraw the Bill. The field formations shall contact the MP of their station and submit the letter.

3.       Future agitational programmes shall be decided after the one day strike called by central trade unions on 28th February 2012. The demand 'Assured Pension for all' formulated by Central TUs shall be modified by the constituents of Steering Committee to "Scrap PFRDA bill/NPS; ensure pension for all".

 

(SK Vyas)

Convener

 

Sunday, December 11, 2011

STATEMENT ISSUED BY CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS ON 28th FEBRUARY NATIONWIDE STRIKE

 
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL  GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS.
A-2/95,Manishinath Bhawan,Rajouri Garden, New Delhi-110 027
Tel: 011-2510 5324:  Mobile: 98110 48303
 
Dear Comrades,
 
Dated: 10th December, 2011
 
Placed hereunder is the Statement dated 2.12.2011 issued by the Central Trade Unions calling upon all  Federations/Associations/Unions to organize a day's strike  on 28.02.2012. The  National Council of the Confederation which is slated to meet at Ernakulam on 16th December, 2011 will discuss as to how best we would be able to organize the Central Government employees  to participate in the proposed strike action. All National Council members are requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting without fail.
 
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
Sd/- K.K.N. Kutty
 
STATEMENT dated 2.12.2011
CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS DECIDE FOR
COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 28.2,2012
 
The Central Trade Unions, fn a meeting congratulated the mass at the working people for their massive response TO the programme of countrywide Jail Bharo (Satyagraha) of 8* November 2011 jointly organized by Central and other Trade Unions of India.
 
The Central Trade Unions also convey their appreciation to the- independent All India Federations of the employees and workers for their active wholehearted Support to the call of countrywide Satyagraha/Jail  Bharo.
 
The Central Trade Unions noted wtlh serious concern that despite several rounds of united protests by the entire trade union movement of the country, the Govt has remained  totally unresponsive to major concerns of the working people Rather anti-people moves are being taken to further aggravate the rise in prices through frequent hike in power tariff, urea etc., besides complete decontrol of petrol prices.  Existing labour rights including right to form union are sought to be curbed and social security and pension are under attack through various legislative and administrative moves. Mass scale contractorisation of the regular work Is continuing in all the workplaces inducing in PSUs and Govt. establishments, Contract workers are not being paid in most of the places even the statutory minimum wages Disinvestment of shares of Public Sector Units Is being actively pushed through by the Govt.  to facilitate phased privatization of the highly profit-making PSUs .
 
The Central Trade Unions also  expressed serious concern over the flaring up of the rampant corruption all around and huge black-money-generation in the economy resulting In widespread popular discontent and disgust over the Issue of corruption. The CTUOs demand concrete legislative and administrative measures and change in the economic policy regime to eradicate and prevent corruption and  bring back the black money stashed abroad.
 
The Central Trade Unions reiterate the most pressing demands of the workers highlighted by the Jail Bharo/Stayagraha  agitation on 8th  November 2011:
 
While reiterating the five point demands formulated jointly by the Central Trade Unions and Federations for 1} concrete measures to contain price rise 2) concrete measures for linkage of employment protection w'th the concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs, 3) Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws. 4) universal social security cover for the unorganized sector workers without any restriction and
 
Creation  of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the  recommendation, of NCEUS and Parliamentary Standing Committees on Labour, Stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs, the  Central Trade Unions also demand immediate  action  by the Govt. of India to en sure:-
 
1) No Contractorisatlon of work of permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages  and  benefits to the contract workers  at  the same rate as available to the regular workers of the Industry/establishment
2) Amendment   of  Minimum   Wages   Act   to   ensure   universal  coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at
not less than Rs 10,000/-,
3) Remove the ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity.
4) Assured Pension for all.
5) Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of ILO conventions 67 and 96.
 
To press for the  above demands, the Central Trade Unions decided to observe countrywide genera! strike on 28th February, 2012
 
The Central Trade Unions also urge upon their state committees and all the trade unions irrespective of affiliations to hold state wise and Industry wise conventions and launch immediately other forms of joint campaigns to make the countrywide general strike on 28th February, 2012 a total success.
 
 
 
The Centraf Trade Unions call upon rnass of toiling people end their organizations irrespective of affiliations to join the call for general strike enmasse throughout the country.
 
SD/-
 
BMS INTUC AITUC HMS CITU AIUTUC AICCTU UTUC TUCC LPF SEWA
 

Saturday, December 3, 2011

CIRCULAR NO:23 OF CONFEDERATION

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL  GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS.

 

A-2/95,Manishinath Bhawan,Rajouri Garden, New Delhi-110 027

 

Website:www.confederationhq.blogspot.com.  Email:Confederation06@Yahoo.co.in

Tel: 011-2510 5324:  Mobile: 98110 48303

 

Circular No:23 Dated 03-12-2011

 Dear Comrades,

                The hard work put in by all concerned paid dividends on 25th November, 2011.  There was impressive gathering of all sections of CGEs as also pensioners in the March to Parliament against PFRDA Bill. The rally commenced at 10.00 A.M and went on up to 3.00 P.M.  The  fog which had disrupted the train services, especially in and around Delhi created difficulties for those who came from distant destinations.

                The steering Committee's ambitious objective  to have 10 million signatures did not however come about.  While Kerala and West Bengal did contribute immensely to the endeavour, in so far as Confederation is concerned the vigour and efforts were not so visible at other places.  The target was not at all impossible.  The idea was to make the campaign reach the grass root level workers and their friends and relatives.  Had it been given a little more importance by our leaders and cadres, the target could have been achieved.  The break-up of figures, organisation wise is as under:

AISGEF- 10,64,071, AIRF- 2,37,312, CONFDN.- 3,25,022. TEACHERS- 2,74,123. PENSIONERS, 97,864, AIDEF- 69,020, BSNLEU. 10,180. OTHERS- 1841. TOTAL- 20,79,018.

                We enclose herewith the Press statement issued by the Convenor, Steering Committee on 25th.  As you know, the Parliamentary Standing Committee had unanimously recommended for specifying a guaranteed minimum Pension to protect the subscribers and employees from the vagaries of equity market.  The Cabinet had unfortunately rejected it.  The delegation consisting of Com. Sukomal Sen (Sr. Vice President, AiSGEF,) Com. S.K.Vyas, (President, Confederation and Gl Secretary, NCCPA and convenor, Steering Committee) Com. Shivgopal Misra, (AIRF) Com. K.K.N. Kutty. (Secretary General, Confederation) , Com.Rajendran, (Gl, Secretary, STFI) Com. S.N. Pathak, (President. AIDEF) Who met the Prime Minister on 25th had harped on this issue and told the PM that  the rejection of the Standing Committee;s recommendation to have a guaranteed minimum pension to all subscribers  had no tenable basis.  This apart,  the delegation also pointed out that even while making the pension fund available to private entrepreneurs  the  USA, Britain  and other western countries  had protected the subscribers by providing a minimum pension benefit irrespective of what happens to the investment made on behalf of the subscriber.  The delegation also brought to the notice of the Prime Minister that the Bhattacharya Committee and the committee set up by the 6th CPC both  too had recommended the need to have a provision for a minimum  pension guaranteed by the Government, for the Government has the moral and legal responsibility as in the scheme of things the government collects the subscription from the contributors.

The delegation was accompanied by Com.Basudev Acharya, MP and leader of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha and Cpm.Tapan Sen, MP(Gen. Secretary, CITU) Both of them requested the Prime Minister to have a relook into the matter and accept at least those recommendations of the standing committee on which there had been unanimity of opinion amongst different political parties.

                While asserting that his Govt. Is not at all against the interest of workers and are bound to protect them, the Prime Minister said that the new pension scheme would be providing better returns to the employees than the defined benefit scheme.  When pointed out that if that be the case, as to why not the Govt, make the new scheme optional, the PM said that he will get the contentions made in the petition examined and considered by the Finance Ministry.         

The National Council Meeting

The National Council as already intimated will meet at Kochi on 16th December, 2011. The National Secretariat members, the Chief Executive of all affiliates and the State Committee Secretaries of Confederation, the Chairman and Convenor of the  Women  committee constitute the council. The meeting will be held at the following venue:

GAANAM HOTEL LIMITED

Near Ernakulam Junction (Ernakulam South Railway Station)

Chittoor Road

KOCHI. 682016

 

Accommodation has been arranged for 3 days 15th, 16th and 17th December, 2011.  The rooms are to be vacated on 17th.  All National Council Members are requested to kindly intimate Com.Sasindran or Com.Krishnan whose mobile numbers are given hereunder of the date and time of their arrival and departure:

                Com.Sasindran:  09447355334                                    Com.M.Krishnan: 09447068125

 

Central TU decides for another one day strikeOn 28th Feb. 2012

                The joint committee of Central Trade Unions in the meeting on 24th November, 2011 has proposed to organise a one day's strike on 28th February, 2012 against the neo-liberal policies and in pursuance of the 5 point charter of demands.  Both BMS and INTUC have agreed to this proposal and the strike when it takes place will be the largest worker participated strike in the country.  The National Council inter alia will deliberate as to how the CGEs could be participants in this great national struggle action.

                With greetings,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General