FLASH NEWS

28^{t h}August 2015

COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 2ND SEPTEMBER STANDS

CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS REASSERT THE CALL FOR UNITED ACTION

MARCH AHEAD UNITEDLY, MAKE THE COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 2^ND SEPTEMBER A MASSIVE SUCCESS

After two rounds of discussion between the Group of Ministers and the central trade unions on the 12-point charter of demands of the trade unions held on 26^th and 27^th August 2015, the GoM headed by Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley sent an appeal through the press release dated 27-08-2015 (Press Information Bureau) after 10 pm urging upon the trade unions to reconsider the call for countrywide general strike on 2^nd September 2015 claiming that the Govt has given concrete assurance to consider most of the demands  of the trade unions and that the trade unions agreed to consider the Govt’s proposals. Similar appeal was also made in the meeting of 27^th August.  Both the claims of the Govt are totally incorrect.   

To put the facts straight, the joint platform of central trade unions have been pursuing with successive governments at the centre with their basic demands since 2009 and observed three rounds of countrywide general strike since 2010, the last being for two days in February 2013. In the two rounds of meeting between the CTUOs and the Group of Minister, nothing transpired in concrete terms except vague statements by the ministers on steps to be taken or being taken on some of the issues, that too not in the right direction.

The Govt’s press release mentioned, inter alia, certain issues in support of their unfounded claim.

1.    The Govt stated about “appropriate legislation for making formula based minimum wages mandatory and applicable” for all. But despite concrete pointers made by the trade unions that such formula should be what has already been unanimously  recommended by the 44^thIndian Labour Conference in 2012 and again reiterated by 46^th Indian Labour Conference in July 2015 in which the Govt of India is also a party,  the Ministers did not give any concrete commitment on the same. In fact said formulae recommended by 44^th ILC in 2012 and reiterated by 46^th ILC in July 2015, makes minimum wage around Rs 20000/- at 2014 price level and the Trade Unions demanded only Rs 15,000/. The Ministers’ vague formulation does not ensure even half of that. Is such a position worth consideration?    

2.    On contract workers, the Govt assured that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. What is there to assure except spreading deliberate confusion?  Existing laws of the land lawfully ensures payment of minimum wages to contract workers. The Govt’s statement regarding “sector specific minimum wages for the contract workers” also does not make any sense. The trade unions demanded “same wages and other benefits as regular workers in the concerned industry/establishment to be paid to contract workers.” The 43^rd Indian Labour Conference held in 2011 recommended the same and 46^th ILC unanimously reiterated the same in 2015, in which, again, the present Govt is a party. How could they deny the unanimous recommendation of the highest tripartite forum in the country like Indian Labour Conference?

3.    The steps taken by the Govt on Labour Law amendments, are meticulously designed to throw out more than 70% of the workers on industries and other establishments from the purview and coverage of almost all basic labour laws and also to eliminate almost all components/provisions of rights and protections of the workers. This was supplemented by more aggressive steps already taken by a good number of state governments to already amend the labour laws in the similar lines. On this issue, the Govt stated only that they will hold tripartite consultation before taking such steps.  The trade unions demanded scrapping of such proposals by the central govt and also not to give assents (through President) to the unilateral amendments made by the state governments. Even in all the tripartite consultations held on some of the proposals of the Govt, the trade unions’ unanimous suggestions has been ignored by the Govt in favour of loud supportive applauds of the employers. Once these retrograde changes in labour laws totally dismantling the rights and protection measures for the workers and also throwing more that 70% of the workers out of the purview of labour laws are enacted, thereby rendering the almost entire working people a right-less entity in their workplace, what would ensure even payment of minimum wage and other social security benefits for them, even if those provisions are improved ?  Can any trade union, worth its name accept such a machination designed to impose conditions of virtual slavery on the working people ?

4.    Despite repeated insistence by all the trade unions, the Govt refused to concede to the demand for recognizing  the Scheme workers, viz., Anganwadi, Mid-day meal, ASHA, Para-teachers and others as “worker” with attendant rights of statutory minimum wages and other benefits in gross violation of the unanimous recommendation of the 45^th Indian Labour Conference in 2013, reiterated again by the 46^th ILC  in 2015. These workers and all the schemes have been put to further crisis threatening their existance owing to drastic cut in budgetary allocations for those schemes. In such a situation, does the assurance of the Govt to “extend social security measures” and “working out ways” for the same carry any meaning?

5.    On bonus issue, the Govt has assured to revise the eligibility and calculation ceiling to Rs 21000/- and Rs 7000/- respectively from existing Rs 10000/- and Rs 3500/-. Trade Unions’ demand has been that since there is no ceiling on profit, all ceilings in the Payment of Bonus Act should be removed altogether. Trade unions also demanded substantial upward revision of the formula for gratuity calculation and remove the ceiling on gratuity payment. The Govt has negated the demands.

6.    On price rise situation, claim of the Govt that it has gone down does not match with ground reality in respect of commodities for daily necessities of the common people. The demands of the trade unions for putting a ban on speculation/forward trading in essential commodities and services along with universalisation of public distribution system throughout the country have been totally ignored.

7.    Trade Unions demanded stoppage of disinvestment in public sector undertakings playing crucial and supportive role in advancement of the national economy. Govt totally ignored the same, rather has been going on aggressively in disinvestment route  in all the major PSUs much to the detriment of the interest of the country’s economy.  On the demands for stoppage of further FDI in defence, railways and financial sector, the stance of the Govt is continuing to be a total denial. Rather, the Govt has been aggressively pursuing deregulation and privatization in strategic sectors like electricity, Port & Docks, Airports etc in a big way.

There are other issues as well, statement of Govt continued to be totally vague and their claim is unfounded. How can anybody, rather any trade union worth its name can consider above stands taken by the Govt on vital demands of the workers as a positive development and move out from the programme of united strike action ?

Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for reconsidering the decisions of the Central Trade Unions for countrywide general strike on 2^nd September 2015. Rather, the situation demands that there should be no vascillation in carrying forward the call for general strike on 2^nd September 2015 throughout the country in all sectors of the economy with firm determination.

The Central Trade Unions appeal to all working people irrespective of affiliations to make the call for countrywide general strike against the anti-worker, anti-people policies of Govt a massive success.

                                                                                                                                       Tapan Sen

                                                                                                                                                      General Secretary CITU

STRIKE ON 2ND SEP, 2015: GOVT ASSURED ON BONUS ENHANCEMENTAND WAGES FORMULA.

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Labour & Employment

27-August-2015 21:05 IST

Inter Ministerial Committee Holds Wider Consultations with Trade Unions on Charter of Demands Appeals to Reconsider Proposed Call for Strike in View of Discussions

            The Second meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) continued discussion on 12 Demands Charter of Trade Unions for the second day here today in continuation of discussions held yesterday. The Committee comprises Shri Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, MoS(IC) Labour and Employment, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, MOS(IC) Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Jitendra Singh, MoS DOPT, and Shri Piyush Goel, MoS (IC), Power. During the discussions Trade Unions expressed concern and asked for clarifications on their demands. Addressing their concerns and expectations, the Finance Minister explained policies on which the Government is working and assured that the Government is committed to welfare of labour. Underlining the importance of role of Trade Unions, Shri Jaitely assured the Central Trade Unions that all labour laws reforms will be done with due discussions and tripartite consultations.

            In view of the discussions held in conducive and cordial atmosphere, the IMC appealed to Trade Unions to reconsider the proposed call for strike on 2nd September, 2015.The Trade Unions have agreed to consider the appeal.

            In view of the suggestions given by Central Trade Unions in the meetings held on 19th July, 26th August and 27th August, 2015, the Government assured the following:

1.         Appropriate legislation for making formula based minimum wages mandatory and applicable to all employees across the country.

2.         For the purposes of bonus the wage eligibility limit and calculation ceiling would be appropriately revised. Earlier in 2006-07 the calculation ceiling was decided at Rs.3500/- and eligibility limit was wage of Rs.10,000/- per month which is proposed to be revised to Rs.7,000 and Rs.21,000 respectively.

3.         The Government is expanding the coverage of social security and working out ways to include construction workers, Aanganwari workers, ASHA workers and Mid Day Meal workers.

4.         Regarding contract workers the Government assured that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. Moreover, the Government is working out ways so that workers of industries will get sector specific minimum wages.

5.         Government has already enhanced minimum pension for EPFO members and every pensioner gets minimum pension of Rs.1000/- per month perpetually.

6.         Labour laws reforms will be based on tripartite consultations as already stated by the Prime Minister. The States are also being advised to follow the tripartite process.

7.         For strict adherence to labour law enforcement, advisory has been issued to the State/UT Governments and strict monitoring has been initiated by Central Government.

8.         For employment generation Mudra Yojana, Make in India, Skill India and National Career Service Portal initiatives have been taken.

9.         Abolition of interviews for all primary jobs which do not require any special knowledge/expertise, is being done for transparency and expediting the process of recruitment.

10.       Inflation is lowest in the last many years excepting two items onion and pulses. Government is taking necessary steps to contain the higher prices of these two commodities also.

            It was further clarified that there is no ban on filling up of vacancies in Government jobs and all concerned Departments are taking necessary action to fill-up these vacancies. It was further assured that the Government is committed to job security, wages security and social security to the workers. The issue of equal wages for equal work for contract workers is an issue requiring wider consultations and a committee will be constituted, if required.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=126401

7th CPC will submit its report by September end :Justice A K Mathur

Hon'ble Mr. Justice A.K. Mathur, Former Judge

Seventh Central pay panel to submit report next month
PTI New Delhi, Aug 25: 

Seventh Pay Commission set up by the government to revise pay scales of central government employees will submit its report by September end, said its Chairman Justice A K Mathur here today.

The Commission, which was set up by the UPA government in February 2014 to revise remuneration of about 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners, was required to submit its report by August end.

“The Commission will submit its report by the end of September” Justice Mathur told PTI.

The government constitutes pay commission almost every ten years to revise the pay scales of its employees and often these are adopted by states after some modification.

The Commission has already completed discussions with various stakeholders including organisations, federations, and groups representing civil employees as well as Defence Services.

It is now in the process of finalising its recommendations.

The recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission are scheduled to come into effect from January 1, 2016.

The other members of the Commission are Vivel Rae, Rathin Roy and its secretary Meena Agarwal.

The Sixth Pay Commission was implemented with effect from January 1, 2006, the fifth from January 1, 1996 and the fourth from January 1, 1986. 

Read at: The Hindu

Cabinet clears four-month extension to 7th Central Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet today cleared a four-month extension to the term of the 7th Central Pay Commission today.

Set up by the UPA government in February 2014, the 7th Central Pay Commission was to make its recommendations within 18 months. Its term would have expired on August 27.

“In view of its volume of work and intensive stake-holders’ consultations, the 7th Central Pay Commission had made a request to the Government for a four month extension up to December 31, 2015,” a government statement said.

Constituted almost every 10 years, the Pay Commission’s main task is to revise the pay scale of its employees. The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission—slated to come into effect from January 1, 2016, would impact around 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners.

The Commission has already completed discussions with various stakeholders, including organisations, federations, groups representing civil employees as well as Defence services and is in the process of finalising its recommendations.

Source : The Indian Express

REVISION OF FIXED MONETARY COMPENSATION (FMC) TO DELIVERY STAFF AND REMUNERATION TO OTHER STAFF CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS 

·         D.G. Posts No. 10-7/2001-PE-II dated 14^th August, 2015.

 I am directed to refer to Directorate letters of even number dated 04.09.2002, 20.01.2003 and 24.11.2010 on the above mentioned subject.

2.           The Department has revived a number of references from the staff Associations requesting for upward revision of Fixed Monetary Compensation (FMC) admissible to Postman Staff. A Committee of Senior Officers  was constituted for looking into the issue and the  report of the Committee has been examined  carefully in consultation with Integrated  Finance  Wing  and the Competent Authority has ordered enhancement of the  Fixed Monetary  Compensation (FMC) admissible  to Postmen staff. The details are as under:

S.L. No.	Item	Existing Rate	Revised Rate
(a)	When one Postman performs duty of an absentee Postman by combination of duties.	Rs.50 per day	Rs. 94 per day
(b)	When two Postmen perform duty of an absentee Postman by sharing the beat.	Rs.24 per day	Rs.47 per  day

3.           The Competent  Authority  has also ordered fixation / revision of Holiday/Sunday Monetary  Compensation payable to Postmen  Staff and other  Departmental Staff brought on duty on 2^nd consecutive Holiday if three consecutive  holidays occur or duty performed on Sunday as shown under:

Cadre	Item	Existing Rate	Revised	Remarks
Postmen/Sorting Postmen	When duty performed on Holiday/Sunday	Rs.85	Rs.282/- per day for full day duty.	Nil
MTS	When duty performed on Holiday/Sunday	Rs.60	Rs.29/-per hour, subject to maximum of 3 hours	If duty performed above 3 hours, the employee is eligible to claim for 3 hours pay only.
Postal Assistant	When duty performed on Holiday/Sunday	Rs.85	Rs.41/-per hour, subject to maximum of 3 hours
Supervisor	When duty performed on Holiday/Sunday	Rs.85	Rs.47/-per hour, subject to maximum of 3 hours

4.           All other conditions for payment of Fixed Monetary Compensation (FMC) issued vide OM No. 10-23/87-PE-I dated 21.12.1993 and delivery of Unregistered letters on Holidays issued  under 9-25/92-C1 dated 10.09.92 will remain unchanged.

 5.          The expenditure on account of revision has to be met from the allocated funds of the units under the prescribed Head of Account.

  6.         These orders will take effect from the date of issue.

7.           This issues in consultation with the Integrated Finance Wing vide their diary number 118/FA/2015/CS dated 14.08.2015.

                                                                                                                                                      Sd/-

(Maj)S.N.Dave)

Assistant Director General (Estt.)

STRIKE NOTICE

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION-GDS (NFPE)

1^st FLOOR NORTH AVENUE POST OFFICE BUILDING

NEW DELHI-110 001

No.PF-JCA-12/2015                                                                              Dated:  11th ,August, 2015

To

The Director General

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

NOTICE

Madam,

In accordance with the provisions of Sub Section (1) of Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, we hereby notify that all the Postal/RMS/MMS/Administrative & Postal Accounts Employees and the Gramin Dak Sewaks will go on One Day Strike on 02^nd September, 2015.

The Charter of Demands is enclosed herewith.

           

          (R.N. Parashar)                                                                             (R.N. Parashar)                       

     Secretary General                                                                              General Secretary                                  NFPE                                                                                         AIPEU Group-C

                                                                                             

     R. Seethalakshmi                                                                                Giriraj Singh    

     General Secretary                                                                            General Secretary

AIPEU Postmen, MTS/Group ‘D’                                            AIRMS & MMS EU Group ‘C’                                                                                                                                                                                            

              (P. Suresh)                                                                          Pranab Bhattacharjee

       General Secretary                                                                           General Secretary          

AIRMS & MMS EU MTS &Group ‘D’                                        AIPAOEU (Admin Union)                                                                                        

T. Satyanaryana                                                                                   Virendra Tewary            

General Secretary                                                                                 General Secretary          

AIPAEA (Postal Accounts)                                                                    AIPSBCOEA

                                                                                                                                                            

    S. A. Rahim                                                                                    P. Pandurangarao                       

General Secretary                                                                                  General Secretary                    

AICWEA (Civil Wing)                                                                       AIPEU-GDS (NFPE)             

                                                                                                                                  

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

ANNEXURE – I

PART-I

1.    Urgent measures for containing price-rise through universalisation of public distribution system and banning speculative trade in commodity market.

2.    Containing unemployment through concrete measures for employment generation.

3.    Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measure for violation for labour laws.

4.    Universal social security cover for all workers

5.    Minimum wages of not less than Rs. 15,000/- per month with provisions of indexation.

6.    Assured enhanced pension not less than Rs. 3000/- P.M. for the entire working population.

7.    Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/State PSUs.

8.    Stoppage of contractorisation in permanent perennial work and payment of same wage and benefits for contract workers as regular workers for same and similar work.

9.    Removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund; increase the quantum of gratuity.

10. Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting applications; and immediate ratification of ILO Convention C 87 and C 98.

11. Against Labour Law Amendments

12. Against FDI in Railways, Insurance and Defence.

PART-II

1.    Effect wage revision of the Central Government Employees from 01.01.2014 accepting memorandum of the staff side JCM; ensure 5-year wage revision in future; grant interim relief and merger of 100% of DA; Include Gramin Dak Sevaks within the ambit of 7^th CPC. Settle all anomalies of 6^th CPC.

2.    Implement Cadre restructuring proposal in all Cadres including MMS.

3.    Implement arbitration awards and revise OTA Rates.

4.    No Privatisation, PPP or FDI in Railways, Defence Establishment and no corporatization of Postal services.

5.    No ban on creation of new posts. Fill up all vacant posts.

6.    Scrap PFRDA Act an re-introduce the defined benefit statutory pension scheme.

7.    No outsourcing, contractrisation, privatization of governmental functions; withdraw the proposed move to close down the printing presses, the publications, form stores and stationery departments and medical stores Depots; regularize the existing daily-rated/casual and contract workers and absorption of trained apprentices.

8.    Revive the JCM functioning at all level as an effective negotiating forum for settlement of the demands of the Central Government Employees.

9.    Remove arbitrary ceiling on compassionate appointment.

10. No labour reforms which are inimical to the interest of the workers.

11. Remove the ceiling on payment on bonus

12. Ensure five promotions in the service career.