Friday, November 29, 2019

BRIEF REPORT ON 11TH FEDERAL COUNCIL OF NFPE HELD FROM 25TH TO 27TH NOVEMBER 2019 IN MATHURA (UP)

Brief Report Federal Council

11th Federal Council of NFPE was held at Shreeji  Bawa  Ashram, Bhuteshwar, Mathura (UP) from 25.11.2019 to 27.11.2019 . Federal Executive meeting was also held at te same place on 24.11.2019.

Federal Council was commenced with Flag hoisting at 10.30 A.M. at the Venue. National Flag was hoisted by Com. KKN Kutty, President, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers. NFPE Flag was hoisted by Com. M. Krishnan Ex. Secretary General of NFPE & Secretary General Confederation. After that Floral Tributes were paid to the Martyrs by all the Leaders, Federal Councillors and Visitors.

The Inaugural Session started at 11A.M.  on 25.11.2019. Com. Giri Raj Singh , President , presided  over the meeting. Homage was paid to all leaders and Union activists and common man who expired during the period under review.

The Federal Council was inaugurated by Com. KKN Kutty, President , Confederation of CGE&W, who elaborately described the present political & economic situation of the Country and the working  class in general and Central Government employees in particular. He deliberated about the issues related to 7th Pay Commission and criticized the policies of government who is going ahead on the path of Corporatization and privatization in various Government sectors and Public sector undertakings.

Other Leaders including Com. M.S. Raja, Working President, Confederation & Ex. Secretary General –Audit & Accounts Association , Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Treasurer, Confederation and Secretary General Ciivil Accounts Employees Association, Com. CC Pillai, Ex. Secretary General –NFPE ,  and Com. K. Ragavendran, Ex. Secretary General NFPE & General Secretary AIPRPA addressed the inaugural session..

Postmaster General , Agra, Shri Ambesh Upamanyu also greeted the Federal Council  as representative of the Department of Posts. He was accompanied by Shri Umrao Singh SSPOs, Mathura, Shri Sengar, ADPS RO Agra and Sr. Postmaster, Mathura, Shri Arun Kumar Yadav

On behalf of Reception Committee Cm. V.B. Pachauri & Circle President P-III (UP) ,welcomed all the leaders guests, Federal Councillors and Visitors.

Com. R.N. Parashar  gave an introductory speech  about the functioning of NFPE and he also welcomed  all guests , leaders , Federal Councillors and visitors on behalf of the NFPE.

Open session ended at 2 P.M. on 25.11.2029 .

Vote of thanks was given by Com. Shesh Mani Tripathi Circle Secretary P-III UP.

The delegate session was started at 4 P.M. in the evening 25.11.2019. Com. Giri Raj Singh, President  presided over the session.  After composing the house with the Federal Councillors and Federal Executive Members by the President first of all the agenda was approved by the house.

Com. President asked Secretary General to present triennial report and to initiate the discussion. Com. R.N. Parashar , Secretary General presented the triennial report , Audited  Accounts and initiated the discussion on agenda items.

After that deliberations was started by the Federal Councillors. About 36  delegates took part in the discussion and they raised the issues related to their sectors.

Delegate session continued from 25.11.2019 After noon to 27.11.2019 A/N.

‘In between the delegate session Com. K.V. Sridharan, Ex. General Secretary P-III and Com. M. Krishnan  Secretary General Confederation also delivered  their speeches.

After deliberation of Federal Councillors , all General Secretaries of affiliated unions and NFPE  Office Bearers also spoken on the agenda.

At last Com. R.N. Parashar , summed up the discussion and replied the queries and questions raised by the Federal Councillors and also told about the functioning of Departments and the policy offensives being unlashed on the Department in the wake of lo-liberal economic  policies . He assured all that every efforts will be made to redress the grievances which come before the employees. He appealed all to make the 8th January-2020 Strike a grand success in Department of Posts.

Besides this he declared agitational programmes in phased manner as follows refelecting the trend of the debate by the Federal Councillors, .

1.         Submission of Memorandum on the problems prevailed in the Department  by making a Charter of Demands in the month of December,2019.

2.         Divisional Level Dharna in the month of January-2020.
3.         Circle level Dharna in the month of February-2020.
4.         All India Dharna in Delhi in the month of March-2020.
5.         After that Strike will be called for if the demands are not met.

            Dates will be finalized in Federal Secretariat Meeting to be held soon.

Com. Janardan Majumdar Convenor, resolution Committee presented resolutions on important subjects which were approved by the house unanimously.

Com. Balwinder Singh , Convenor , Credential Committee presented   the credentials.

Com. President called all the Federal Councillors in  the house and after that  election of office bearers was held for next three years term.

The following office bearers were elected unanimously:

President
Com. P.V. Rajandran , R-III Kerala
Com.U.K.Tiwari.P-III (Bihar)
Com.K.K.Sharma,.R-IV Delhi.
Com. S B Yadav , O/o DAP , Lucknow (UP)
Com. A.Sreeniwas,R-III.Karnataka
Com. R.N. Parashar- P-III ,Mathura (UP)
Com.D.B.Mohanty.,P-IV Odisha.
Com.Janardan Majumdar P-III.West Bengal
Com. S.Veeran.,P-III Tamilnadu
Con. Com.BalKrishna Chalke, P-IV Maharashtra
Com. Ashwini Kumar, P-IV Delhi.
Work President
Vice President -1
Vice President -2
Vice President -3
Secretary-General
Dy. Secretary General
Assistant Secy. Genl.-1
Assistant Secy. Genl.-2
Assistant Secy. Genl.-3
Financial Secretary

After election felicitation was given to the out going office bearers i.e. Com. Giri Raj Sigh , President, A. Manoharan, Working President, R. Seethalakshmi, Dy. S/G & Com. S. Ragupathy AS/G by the Reception Committee by garlanding and presenting shawls and Mementos.

The Federal Council ended with the Presidential speech.

Vote of thanks was given by the Secretary General.

***************************
Com.P.V.Rajendran, President, NFPE  &  Com.R.N.Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE

...


VACANCIES IN GOVERNMENT SECTORS -- Rajya Sabha Q & A (28-11-2019)




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SPECIAL RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR FILLING UP OF VACANT POSTS -- Rajya Sabha Q & A (28-11-2019)



CLICK HERE  FOR COPY & DETAILS ( 5 pages)



EMPLOYEES BELONGING TO SCs / STs -- Rajya Sabha Q & A (28-11-2019)






Date of next increment under Rule-10 of Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 - Clarification ........






SPECIAL INCREMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES -- Rajya Sabha Q &A ( 28-11-2019)


COMPULSORY RETIREMENT UNDER SECTION 56(J) OF CCS (PENSION) RULES -- Rajya Sabha Q & A ( 28-11-19)


On decrease the retirement age from 60 yrs to 58 yrs - Lok Sabha Q & A (27-11-2019)


Admissibility of Special Allowance / Qualification Pay for Accounts cadre - revision of rates as per 7th CPC ...


Private hospitals threatened to stop cashless service under (CGHS) & (ECHS)

Private hospitals threatened to stop cashless service under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)
The association of private hospitals has called stopping CGHS and ECHS cashless services as their bills worth over Rs 1,600 crore are pending with the the Ministry of Finance.
A letter, flagging pendency of bills, was sent to the Ministry of Finance in July this year but not much has moved since then – prompting the hospitals to press panic button which may affect close to one crore beneficiaries of the CGHS and ECHS.
Association claims that the pendency has worsened since the launch of Ayushman Bharat, or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) healthcare scheme by the Modi government.
The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), in a recent meeting, decided to stop cashless service to the CGHS and ECHS beneficiaries if the pending bills are not cleared by the Centre.
“The pending bills have been accumulating over the past three years as the number of hospitals covered under these schemes has gone up while the periodic budget to clear bills continues to be the same,” Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General of AHPI, said.
“The situation has worsened since the launch of Ayushman Bharat and the pending bills are now close to Rs 1,600 crore,” Dr Girdhar Gyani said, adding, “We are going to soon write to the ministry and intimate the officials that we will be forced to stop cashless service as an emergency measure to cap our growing losses,” Dr Girdhar Gyani said.
MEMORANDUM TO MINISTRY OF FINANCE
The decision of private hospitals come after their memorandum to the Ministry of Finance in July this year which yielded no result.
AHPI, in its letter to the ministry, had said that due to a long pendency of dues the scheme is losing its sheen, both among the healthcare providers as well as the beneficiaries.
PAYMENTS
Reimbursement to hospitals is the major concern. Hospitals have signed agreement based on the terms and conditions defined by the CGHS, effective from 1st October 2014, which has provision to make 70 per cent payment within five working days of submission of bills by hospitals.
In none of the cases payments have been made within such stipulated time.
Hospitals have to wait for months and years to get the dues. This results in pushing hospitals to state of unsustainability and hospitals are forced to avoid/refuse beneficiaries for treatment.
AHPI warned its its letter that unless the ministry releases bulk amount, the outstanding will continue to remain in same bracket.
“We would be grateful if you could look into this long pending issue, which is making hospitals unsustainable, this has also impact on flagship scheme PMJAY under Ayushman Bharat as hospitals are vary of joining government schemes for same fear of not getting timely reimbursements,” AHPI said.
Pending bills of top hospitals like Max Healthcare have accumulated beyond Rs 150 crore while that of Fortis Group was close to 58 crores in July.
“In response to the issue of pending bills flagged by us, the Ministry of Finance has responded with a memo seeking suggestions from stakeholders for improving and revamping the CGHS services,” an AHPI functionary said, adding, “But no word on addressing concerns raised by us so far from the ministry,” he added.
IMPACT
The decision of private hospitals once implemented will impact close to 37 lakh central government employees, their dependents and pensioners under the CGHS and over 52 lakh ex-servicemen dependents covered under the ECHS in over 1,000 hospitals and nursing homes providing healthcare services.

Source: indiatoday



Regarding retirement age ........


Sunday, November 24, 2019

Confederation Circular dtd 18-11-2019 :: 08-01-2020 Nationwide strike




National Convention of Workers ....

The National Open Mass Convention of Workers organized by the ten Central Trade Unions namely INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC, independent federations and associations of various sectors including some independent unions called for a nationwide General Strike on 8 January 2020 against the anti-worker anti people anti-national policies of the Modi-2 Government.

The national economy is slowing down. The adverse effects are already being felt by the workers in unorganised as well as organised sectors in the form of large scale retrenchment and closures. In the name of the recession, the Central Government is taking steps such as reducing corporate taxes, and giving them big bonanza to the tune of Rs.1.45 lakh crores from the national exchequer while not a single penny is spent to ensure job security or employment allowance to the workers. The government measures are supply-side, when all the economists are unanimous that the crisis is on the demand-side.

 While the Central Trade Unions are jointly demanding a national minimum wage of Rs 21000/- pm, pension to all, scrapping of NPS and restoration of the old pension scheme, control on price rise in essential commodities and for universal public distribution system, demanding generation of new jobs and filling up of sanctioned posts, regularisation of Scheme Workers in Government posts, of contract workers working against regular posts, ensuring equal pay for equal work, strengthening of Welfare Boards for Unorganised Sector workers, increased budgetary provision for MNREGA and agriculture, that will put money in the hands of the toilers and give boost to the economy, the Central Government is pushing codification of Labour Laws, allowing Fixed Term Employment, privatisation of PSUs, allowing 100 percent FDI in railways, defence, coal and other sectors,  bank mergers and so on, that will lead to massive redundancies and extreme exploitation of workers. Now the Central Government has started reducing the contributions that the employers have to pay under the Provident Fund Act and the Employees State Insurance Act, justifying the move saying, this will increase the take-home pay of the workers. The Government openly states that these steps are being taken in the name of “ease of doing business”. The Government boasts that India’s ranking is going up in the World Bank Index of “Ease of doing business”. All this is being done at the expense of the working people.



Empanelment of private hospitals (including dental clinics & eye centres) and Diagnostic centres under CGHS in Delhi & NCR ...




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Representation from Government servant on service matters ............

2020 JANUARY 8th NATIONWIDE STRIKE

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS
IST FLOOR, NORTH AVENUE POSTOFFICE BUILDING, NEW DELHI-110001
No. Confdn/NS/2016-19                                                                       Dated-18.11.2019
IMPORTANT CIRCULAR
To
                 1.        All National Secretariat Members (CHQ Office Bearers)
                 2.        All Affiliated organisations
                 3.        All General Secretaries of C-O-Cs.
CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT CALLS UPON ENTIRE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
(including Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual/Contract Workers)
TO MOBILISE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE
2020 JANUARY 8th NATIONWIDE STRIKE
ORGANISE MASS DHARNA AND DEMONSTRATIONS AND RALLIES
AT ALL IMPORTANT CENTRES AND STATE/DISTRICT/
DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS ON 20
th DECEMBER, 2019.
*        Strike to be organised on 10 points Charter of demands of Confederation (attached herewith) and also the common demands of workers adopted in the National Convention of Workers.
*        First and most important demand to be emphasized is “SCRAP NPS AND RESTORE OPS”.
*        Each affiliated organisation should independently chalkout intensive campaign programmes to mobilise their entire membership to participate in the strike.  Campaign tour programmes of leaders of each affiliate should be chalked out immediately.  This is most important and urgent.
*        Campaign tour programmes of National Secretariat Members of Confederation will be published shortly.
*        Draft copy of the pamphlet to be distributed among all the Central Government employees will be published in the Confederation website shortly.  C-O-Cs and Affiliates at state/district level to bring out pamphlets in respective vernacular, with additions/modifications if necessary.
*        State C-O-Cs should publish Posters with Confederation Charter of demands.
*        Strike notice along with Charter of demands will be served on 12th December, 2019.
          Confederation Central Headquarters will serve strike notice to Cabinet Secretary.  All Affiliated organisations should serve strike notice to their respective Departmental heads.  Copy of the strike notice should be submitted to all lower level authorities also at State/District/Divisional level with mass demonstrations and gate meetings.
*        Affiliated organisations should send copy of the strike notice served by them to their Departmental heads, to all their lower units and also publish the same in their websites.
*        State/District C-O-Cs should plan their own campaign programmes and mobilisation meetings.
*        Confederation Central Headquarters has already written to the Secretary General of Confederation of Central Government Gazetted Officers Organisation (CCGGOO) requesting to participate in the 8th January 2020 strike.
*        Message of the strike and strike demands should reach each and every Central Govt. employee including Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual, Part-time contingent, daily-rated and Contract Workers.
*        All Affiliates and C-C-Cs should ensure maximum participation of Central Govt. employees in all the campaign and mobilisation programmes of Joint Action Council of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations also.
*        As in the past, Government may issue circulars, threatening the employees who participate in the strike.  Ignore all such circulars and join the strike with courage and determination.  Don’t believe in rumours.  All information related to the strike will be published in Confederation website www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
*        Mass dharna at all important centres and also at State/District/Divisional headquarters may be organised on 20th December 2019, with maximum participation of Central Govt. Employees.
*        Give maximum publicity through local media, social media and websites.  Send photos and reports by whatsapp or Email to Confederation Headquarters.
*        Central Government Pensioners Associations may be requested to particpate in all mobilisation programmes and also to organise solidarity programme on 8th January, 2020.
          Remember, all our existing benefits and rights are achieved through struggles and sacrifices only.  No strike action will go in vain.  No sacrifice will go in vain.  We will fight and we will win.
II.       National Conference of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers:
          As already informed to all in the Circular dated 01-08-2019, the next National Conference of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers will be held at NAGPUR (Maharashtra) on 07-02-2020 and 08-02-2020 (7th & 8th February 2020; Friday and Saturday).  Delegate fee per head is Rs.1,000/- (Rs. One thousand only).  In addition to delegates, visitors are also allowed to attend the Conference on payment of Rs.1,000/- (Rs. One thousand only) per head.
          All Affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs are requested to ensure maximum participation of delegates and visitors in the National Conference, including maximum Lady delegates and visitors.
          Please book the travel tickets of the delegates and visitors well in advance.  Last minute, confirmed tickets will not be available.
          C-O-C, Vidharbha Region, Maharashtra, Nagpur, is hosting the National Conference.  Contact Number: Com: Nilesh D Nasare, General Secretary, C-O-C, Vidarbha Region, Nagpur & All India Organising Secretary, Confederation CHQ, Mob: 09850354898.
          Women’s Sub Committee of the Confederation will be re-constituted in the Conference and New Office Bearers will be elected.
          The names and mobile numbers of leaders, delegates and visitors attending the National Conference may be intimated to the Reception Committee on or before 31-12-2019.  This is required for arranging accommodation.
          C-O-C Mumbai, C-O-C Nagpur and nearby states C-O-Cs may ensure participation of more delegates/visitors/lady comrades.
          Formal notice of the National Conference will be issued shortly.
          Number of Delegates and Quota Remittance:
          Number of eligible delegates of each Affiliated organisation and C-O-C is decided based on the quota remitted.  The National Secretariat meeting of Confederation held at Hyderabad on 19th October 2019, has decided that the subscription/quota dues list of affiliates will be placed in the Comnfederation website by the Financial Secretary shortly and all will be once again asked to pay out the arrears by 20-12-2019.  On the basis of remittances received thereupon, voting rights will be compiled and exhibited in the website.
          Contact number of Com.Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Financial Secretary, Confederation CHQ - 09868520926 and 09013163804.
          All the Affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs are once again requested to remit the subscription/quota dues on or before 20-12-2019 without fail and ensure participation of maximum delegates and visitors in the National Conference.
LET US MEET AT NAGPUR AFTER THE HISTORIC 2020 JANUARY 8th STRIKE.
LET US STRENGHTEN OUR UNITY FURTHER.
UNITY FOR STRUGGLE AND STRUGGLE FOR UNITY.
          Fraternally yours,
          M. Krishnan,
          Secretary General,
          Mob: 09447068125
          Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
          
10 POINTS CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF CONFEDERATION
1.      Scrap New Contributory Pension scheme (NPS).   Restore Old defined benefit Pension Scheme (OPS) to all employees.  Guarantee 50% of the last pay drawn as Minimum Pension.
2.      Honour assurance given by Group of Ministers (GoM) to NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016.  Increase Minimum Pay and Fitment formula.  Withdraw the proposed move to modify the existing time-tested methodology for calculation of Minimum wage.  Grant HRA arrears from 01-01-2016.  Withdraw “Very Good” bench mark for MACP,  Grant promotional heirarchy and date of effect from 01-01-2006.  Grant Option-I parity recommended by 7th CPC to all Central Govt. Pensioners.  Settle all anomalies arising  out of 7th CPC implementation.
3.      Stop corporatisation/privatisation of Railways, Defence and Postal Departments.  Withdraw closure orders of Govt. of India Printing Presses.  Stop proposed move to close down Salt Department.  Stop closure of Govt. establishments and outsourcing.
4.      Fill up all six lakhs vacant posts in the Central Government Departments in a time bound manner.  Reintroduce Regional Recruitment for Group B & C posts.
5.      (a)     Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant of Civil servant status.  Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee report.
          (b)     Regularise all casual and contract workers including those joined on or after 01-09-1993.
6.      Ensure equal pay for equal work for all.  Remove disparity in pay scales between Central Secretariat staff and similarly placed staff working in field units of various departments.
7.      Implement 7th CPC Wage Revision and Pension revision of remaining Autonomous bodies.  Ensure payment of arrears without further delay.  Grant Bonus to Autonomous body employees pending from 2016-17 onwards.
8.      Remove 5% condition imposed on compassionate appointments.  Grant appointment in all eligible cases.
9.      Grant five time bound promotions to all Group B & C employees. Complete Cadre Review in all departments within a time-frame.
10.    (a)     Withdraw the anti-worker wage/labour codes and other anti-worker Labour reforms.  Stop attack on trade union rights.  Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under the JCM Scheme at all levels.
          (b)     Withdraw the draconian FR 56 (j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension Rules 1972.

Order dated 08-11-2019 of Hon'ble Supreme Court passed in special Leave to Appeal (C) No.13042/2014 in the matter of UOI & Ors. (Petitioner) Vs. Gandiba Behera (Respondent) on the issue of counting of service rendered as Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) to make good the shortfall in minimum qualifying service of Group-D/MTS employees for grant of pension



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Draft Report of XIII world Congress of TUI PS&A

(DRAFT)
BRIEF REPORT OF XIII WORLD CONGRESS OF TUI PS&A HELD AT Larnaca, CYPRUS ON 16TH&17TH NOVEMBER, 2019

The XIII World Congress of the TUI, PS&A was held at Parvolia, Larnaca, Cyprus (Europe) on 16th and 17th November, 2019.Altogether 92 delegates from 22 (Twenty Two) countries across the world had participated in the congress. 19 (Nineteen) Women Delegates from different countries were also the part of total number of delegates.

Following delegates representing confederation of Central Government Employees and workers and All India State Government Employees Federation from India took part in the Congress.

1.   Com. Ram Niwas Parasar, Asstt. Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers.
2. Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Financial Secretary, Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers.
3. Com. Subhash Chander Lamba, President, All India State Government Employees Federation.
4. Com. Chandrappa Raghavan Jose Prakash, All India State Government Employees Federation.
5.    Com. Gopalan Motilal, All India State Government Employees Federation
6.    Com. Thoonikaril Chacko Methew Kutty, All India State Government Employees Federation.
7.    Com. Shiv Pratap Singh, All India State Government Employees Federation
8.    Com. Chandra Sekhar Reddy Nalamaru, All India State Government Employees Federation.
9. Com. Anbarasu Muthuvijayan, All India State Government Employees Federation.
The consecutive Sessions of XIII Congress were presided over by a composition of presidium which were headed by Com. Artur Sequeira, President, TUI PS&A.

The XIII Congress was inaugurated at 10 AM on 16th November, 2019. The welcome address was offered the General Secretary, Reception Committee, Cyprus.

Com. Peirpaolo Leonardi, General Secretary, TUI PS & A had placed the introductory speech in terms of the report circulated on behalf of the Secretariat. In his speech he explained the Global scenario and endeavored to stress the need for building up the united struggle of working class worldwide against privatization and defending the rights of working class. He had also appealed upon the delegates to participate in the deliberation critically so that proper review of the activities could be done and future path of TUI PS&A could be decided in a right direction.

Following the introductory speech of the Secretary General, 38 (thirty eight) Delegates participated in the discussion representing their respective organizations and countries. On behalf of All India State Government Employees Federation, Com. Subhash Chander Lamba, President, Com. Chandrappa Raghavan Jose Prakash and Com. Chawla Sekhar Reddy Nalamaru addressed the house. Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Financial Secretary addressed the house representing the Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers’.

Com. Ram Niwas Parasar, Asstt. Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & workers and Com. Subhash Chandra Lamba, President, All India State Government Employees Federation were made the members of the presidium during the session that had continued on 17th November, 2019.

While endorsing the report, the Delegates who participated in the discussions narrated the challenges facing by the working class of their respective countries and the approaches being adopted by them to fight the challenges. Majority of the speakers expressed their opinion for forging unity among the workers across the world and building up strong resistance against fascism, capitalism, racism, gender discrimination and communalism etc. the incidents of  Privatisation, outsourcing, work shrinkage, unemployment, jobless growth and curtailment of Trade Union rights worldwide were finding prominence in the deliberations of Delegates.

The delegates from India in specific have appraised the house that totality of working class of the country shall embark on a day’s strike on 8th January, 2020 opposing the anti-people and anti-worker policies of the present Government. They reported that the country is in recession and National Pension System, Privatization, outsourcing, denial of minimum wage, closure and retrenchments are the major confronting issues for the working class of the country and they are committed to fight the onslaughts. All the speakers have also offered their assurances of implementing the decision of XIII Congress of TUI PS&A. The participants in the deliberations have also stressed that the TUI PS&A needs to be and expended and strengthened further by composing Continent wise regional organizations and adopting the mechanism of democratic centralism.

Delegates from different organizations and countries have greeted the President and the Secretary General by presenting mementos representing the tradition and culture of their countries and ethos of workers class movements.

The Indian delegation has also presented two separate mementos to the president and the Secretary General of TUI PS&A.

After the deliberations by the Delegates were over, Com. Gorge George Mavrikos, General Secretary, WFTU had offered his valuable speech enrichened totally with the guiding principles and road map for the unity and struggle. He had presented an in-depth analysis of the challenges before the working people of the world. He had appreciated that the presentations made by Delegates were truthful and confined with progressive thoughts. Appreciating the reporting’s and proposals of speakers from All India State Government Employees Federation and Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers of India, he greeted the Indian working class who are embarking on a day’s strike on 8th January, 2020 against the anti-working class and anti-people policies of Government of India. He also stated that; working class of India should not feel isolated in the struggle as WFTU and totality of its membership stand beside Indian working class. Referring to proposal for expansion of the formation of democratic forum of TUI PS&A by forming Continent wise regional platforms and infusing the practice of democratic centralism in decision making, he appreciated the proposal. He also informed that Com. Swadesh Deb Roy, who is the Deputy General Secretary of WFTU and TUIS and also the Internal General Co-ordinator from India, has already engaged himself for the task. Com. Mavrikos appraised the house that, more and more organizations and countries are aligning with the WFTUs and TUIS. World Congress of Textile workers and various other cross sections of working people are in the pipe line. Further, as per the target set in Durban, the strength of membership of WFTU has reached to 97 Million and it is expected that target of 100 Million would be able to be reached before the next Congress.

Summing up the discussion Com. Peirpaolo Leonardi, General Secretary had proposed a panel of 14 (fourteen) office bearers and committee members and 4 (four) Financial Committee members. The proposals were unanimously accepted by august House. Com. Artur Sequeira (Portugal) has been re-elected asthe President and Com. Zola Saphetha (Africa) has been elected as the new General Secretary of TUI PS&A for the next term. Com. Sree Kumar, Secretary General, All India State Government Employees Federation and Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers from India have been re-elected as the Deputy Secretary General and one of the Committee members respectively from India.

After being declared as elected Com. Zola Saphetha, newly elected General Secretary addressed the house. In his brief but inspiring written speech Com. Saphetha re-affirmed that the slogans of “Workers of the world Unite-Workers have nothing to lose but their chain” is still relevant. He further stated that, all workers of the world shall be appealed to join the struggle against privatization. He also proposed that an urgent Secretariat shall be convened in South Africa by March, 2020 to decide about the further approach to be adopted to build up unity to carry forward the struggle to promote the causes of the working class throughout the world.

The XIII Congress was declared concluded with the decisions that-apart from implementing the decisions of the XIII Congress, the occasion of 75th year of the WFTU shall also be celebrated with enthusiasm and seriousness throughout the world.

-0-

V. Bhatacahrjee,