The meeting of the Central Trade Unions held on 22nd February 2018 at INTUC Office New Delhi expressed indignation and strongly condemned the Government of the day for their intensified attack on the lives and livelihood of the people and seriously compromising the national interest.

Attack on working class centering around dismantling labour laws designed to completely casualise employment conditions through various routes like amending Contract Labour Act, introducing Fixed Term Employment etc has assumed aggressive height. Further it is noted that the Government is out to erase the public sector from the industrial map of the country. Specific cases of attack on privatization of railways, opening coal mining to private and foreign companies without any restriction whatsoever, mass scale privatization as well as destruction of defence production network through widespread outsourcing, thereby dismantling the almost half of the ordinance factories are some of the examples of the gross anti-people and anti-national actions of the Govt. Accumulation of huge non-performing assets of the public sector banks arising out of pilferage of bank-funds by deliberately defaulting private corporate coupled with recent explosion of frauds with bank fund engineered by the same corporate class is also a reflection of the anti-national act of the Govt indulging and patronizing the same big-business class.

The Central Trade Unions reiterated their utter condemnation against the Union Budget 2018-19 which is basically anti-worker and anti-people in character and engineered a deception on the mass of the people through loud populist slogans without actually making any resource allocation.

The Central Trade Unions denounced the Govt of India’s surreptitious move in postponing the 47th session of Indian Labour Conference, thereby reducing tripartism to a mockery.

CTUOs noted with satisfaction the surging struggles by the working people in different sectors throughout the country, both organised and unorganized.

The workers and federations of coal and transport have been preparing for united industry wide actions to be undertaken shortly. All the Federations of Defence Production workers have jointly decided to go in for nationwide strike on 15th March 2018. Many more sectoral actions are in the offing.

The CTUOs while reiterating their resolve to intensify preparation for indefinite strike in the days to come, calls upon all their constituents and working people in general irrespective of affiliations to jointly observe

ALL INDIA PROTEST DAY ON 15TH MARCH 2018

• In solidarity with the striking Defence Production workers against anti-national privatization move
• Against the Anti-people Deceptive Union Budget 2018-19.

The CTUOs will meet shortly after 15th March 2018 to decide their next course of united countrywide action.

INTUC AITUC HMS CITU
AIUTUC TUCC SEWA AICCTU UTUC LPF

Source : Confederationhq

The post Central Trade Unions decides to observe All India Protest Day on 15th March 2018 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

31st August 2016

Central Trade Unions Reiterate countrywide General Strike on 2nd Sept, 2016 Group of Ministers (GOM) Announcement an eyewash

The Central Trade Unions reiterate the call for countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2016 against the anti-worker and anti-people policies of the Govt. in view of utterly unresponsive and undemocratic attitude of the Govt. The CTUs view the announcements made by Committee of Ministers as an eyewash and decide to go ahead with the Strike. Meagre raise in minimum wage to Rs.9100/- per month in central sphere is not binding on the States.

The CTUOs expressed dismay over utterly negative attitude of the Govt. towards basic demands of the workers on minimum wages as per consensus formulation of the Indian Labour Conference, on universal social security including pension for all workers including those in unorganised sector, against mass scale contractorisation of permanent and perennial work, against onslaught on basic rights of the workers through so called labour-law-reforms through various state governments and also by the centre in the background of large scale violation of labour laws being promoted by both the central govt and also many state govts, desperate move for privatisation/disinvestment of strategic and sensitive public sector units, and promoting limitless FDI in sensitive sectors like Defence, Railways, Banks, Insurance, Retail and Pharmaceuticals etc. which is also against the interest of the national economy.

The CTUOs made it clear that the desperate bid of the Govt for changing the labour laws both through central and many state govts is basically designed to throw even the overwhelming majority of the organised sector workers out of the coverage and purview of all basic labour laws which would render all other rights and benefits of the working people virtually meaningless.

The CTUOs also noted with dismay that the Govt while making public statement on being positive on the demands of the workers, has actually been actively pushing through executive measures, one after another, just in the opposite direction, against the interest of the working people in the grab of ensuring so called “else of doing business”. All these proactive initiatives militate against the basic interests and rights of the working people. Even the non-striking Central Trade Union also officially recorded its opposition.

The CTUOs expressed satisfaction over the increasing response by the workers throughout the country to the call for united action. The strike is going to be complete in industrial sectors such as transport, financial, power, coal, textile, automobile, port and dock, steel, oil, defence production, scheme, education etc. sectors and Central and State Govts. employees. In some states it is going to be bandh like situation.

It is unfortunate that during the past one year, the Group of Ministers appointed for discussion with the CTUOs on 12 point charter has not convened even a single meeting but has been only talking to BMS which has not joined the strike call. The CTUOs denounce such undemocratic bias of the Govt.

The CTUOs condemn the move of the central govt to divide the workers in the face of ongoing strike campaign and create confusion through making misleading statements on its so called positive attitude on workers’ demands both directly and through their various agencies and allies.

While expressing confidence that such dubious action to divide the workers will not succeed, the CTUOs appeal to the working people of the country irrespective of affiliations to further widen their unity and unitedly combat the anti-worker, anti-people policies of the Govt through making the call for countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2016 a total success.

AITIC
HMS
OIFU
AIUTUC
SEWA
AICCTU
UTUC
LPF

And independent federations of Workers/Employees.

Source http://confederationhq.blogspot.in

The post Central Trade Unions reiterate countrywide General Strike on 2nd September 2016 – Press Statement appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

NO. IV/NIFIR/INTUC/Corres/Part I

Dated : 02/08/2016

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Brother,

Sub: All India General Strike by Central Trade Unions – 2nd September, 2016 – reg.

The INTUC and other Central Trade Unions in the country have decided to go on One Day General Strike on 2nd September 2016 on 12 Points Charter of Demands submitted to the Central Government as below:-

1. Urgent measures for containing price rise through universalization 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 measures for violation of labour laws.

4. Universal social security cover for all workers.

5. Minimum wage of not less than Rs. 18000/- per month with provisions of indexation (for unskilled worker).

6. Assured enhanced pension not less than 3000 p.m. for the entire working population (including unorganized sector workers).

7. Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/state Public Sector undertakings.

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

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

10. Compulsory registration of Trade Unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting application and immediate ratification of ILO conventions C-87 and C-98.

11. No. FDI in Railways, Defence and other strategic sectors.

12. No unilateral amendment to labour laws.

In support of one day General Strike, the NFIR affiliates are called upon “to hold demonstrations and rallies throughout the lndian Railways” on 2nd September 2016. A report in this regard should be sent to the Federation latest by 7th September 2016.

Yours fraternally,

sd/-
(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source : NFIR

The post All India General Strike by Central Trade Unions – 2nd September, 2016 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

 2016 September 2nd General Strike 12 Point Charter of Demands of Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions submitted to government:

PART A

 
1. Urgent measures for containing price rise through universalization 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 measures for violation of labour laws.

4. Universal social security cover for all workers.

5. Minimum wage of not less than 18000/- per month with provisions of indexation (for unskilled worker).

6. Assured enhanced pension not less than 3000 p.m for the entire working population (including unorganized sector workers).

7. Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/state public sector undertakings.

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

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

10.Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting application and immediate ratification of ILO conventions C-87 and C-98.

11.No FDI in Railways, Defence and other strategic sectors.

12.No unilateral amendment to labour laws.

PART B

Demand of the Central Govt. Employees

1. Avoid delay in implementing the assurances given by Group of Ministers to NJCA on 30th June 2016, especially increase in minimum pay a fitment formula. Implement the assurance in a time bound manner.

2. Settle issues raised by the NJCA, regarding modifications of the 7th CPC recommendations, submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015.

3. Scrap PFRDA Act and New Pension System (NPS) and grant Pension/Family Pension to all Central Government employees under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.

4. No privatization, outsourcing, contractorisation of Government functions.

5. (i) Treat Gramin Dak Sevaks as Civil Servants and extend all benefits on pay, pension and allowances of departmental employees.

(ii) Regularise casual, contract, contingent and daily rated workers and grant equal pay and other benefits.

6. Fill up all vacant posts by special recruitment. Lift ban on creation of new posts.

7. Remove ceiling on compassionate appointments.

8. Extend benefit of Bonus Act amendment 2015 on enhancement of payment ceiling to the Adhoc bonus/PLB of Central Govt. employees with effect from the financial years 2014-15. Ensure payment of revised bonus before Pooja holidays.

9. Revive JCM functioning at all levels.

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

The post 2016 September 2nd General Strike 12 Point Charter of Demands of Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions submitted to government appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Central Govt. Employees worst affected:

The post 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 — ALL INDIA GENERAL STRIKE appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

However, the RSS-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has decided to opt out of the proposed strike on September 2.

“The central trade unions have reached a consensus to go on a day-long nationwide general strike on September 2, 2016 to protest against government’s unilateral labour reforms and anti-worker policies,” a source said.

The source, however, said, “BMS will not participate in the strike and thus will not sign the joint declaration to be unveiled at the National Convention of Central Trade Unions tomorrow.”

The unions had gone on a strike on September 2 last year also to protest against the amendments in labour laws by the Centre as well as state governments, saying their 12-point charter of demands was not paid heed.

The leaders of the central trade unions including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC and LPF would participate in their national convention tomorrow.

Unions have been opposing certain proposed labour law amendments which allow hire and fire, make it tougher to make labour unions and dilute existing social security net available to the workers at different fora.

Under the proposed Industrial Relations Code Bill 2015, the employers with up to 300 workers would not require government permission for retrenchment, lay off and closure.

Similarly, there is small factories bill which seek to exempt units with less than 40 workers from 14 labour laws.

These units will be able to buy provident fund and health insurance products for their workers from open market. Thus they would not be requried to subscribe to social security schemes run by EPFO and ESIC.

Last year, the government had formed an inter-ministerial panel headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to hold “threadbare discussions” with representatives of unions on their 10-point charter of demands and other issues raised for recommending measures to address those issues.

However, after few rounds of meeting with the trade unions to resolve issues, the panel has not discussed any issue with them after September 2 strike last year.

The ten unions to meet tomorrow, claim a combined membership of 15 crore workers in public as well as private sector enterprises including banks and insurance companies.

PTI

The post Central trade unions will announce one-day nationwide strike on September 2 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment

02-September-2015 19:09 IST

Normal Life not Affected by Labour Unions’ Strike

Government Committed to Ensure Welfare of Workers

The impact of the strike call given by some of the Central Trade Unions has not been felt much in the most parts of the country as per information received from all over the country.

The situation remained, by and large, normal and peaceful across the country. Most of the employees attended their offices. Trains, buses, auto rickshaws, lorries plied as usual. There has been minimal effect in banking, coal, major ports & defence production units. The essential services functioned more or less normally.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted by the Prime Minister had held several rounds of meetings with the representatives of Central Trade Unions to discuss their demands. The Government is positive on many of their demands without any pressure and expressed its commitment to ensure the welfare of workers.

Out of 12 Central Trade Unions, two Unions did not join the strike, three Unions remained neutral and seven Unions went on strike. It indicates that the workers want to settle their demands through the dialogue and discussion.

The workers are in agreement with the Government and are looking forward to positive steps taken by the Government on nine of their twelve demands which will be met as per their aspirations.

Source: PIB News

The post Out of 12 Central Trade Unions, Seven Unions went on strike – PIB Report appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Press Release

2nd September 2015

CITU Salutes the Working Class of India for the Historic Strike On 2nd September 2015

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions congratulates and salutes the working class of India for the unprecedented and historic strike today against the anti worker, anti people and anti national policies of the BJP led NDA government.

Over 15 crores workers employed in almost all the sectors of the country’s economy covering the organised and unorganised sectors, public and private sectors, the central and state government sectors and the scheme workers participated in this strike. Protest demonstrations, rasta roko and rail roko were held across the country in which thousands of workers participated.

Police was used on the workers in several states. The Trinamool government in West Bengal used the brutal force of its police as well as its goons to physically attack the workers on strike. In fact attack by Trinamool goons to foil the strike started at least three days before the strike date and during this period several processions and meetings for strike campaign in different places in the state were attacked, offices were ransacked and many activists were injured. On the day of the strike, police along with Trinamool goons carried on brutal attacks on the strikers and TU activists throughout the state severely injuring many of the activists including senior leaders. Workers and their leaders were arrested in several places in the state. Police resorted to severe lathi charge and arrests in many other states including Assam, Jammu and Kashmir etc. CITU congratulates the workers, particularly in West Bengal for heroically resisting these attacks and participating in the strike in a massive manner.

In many states, including West Bengal, Kerala, Tripura, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, many districts of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh etc the strike turned into a virtual bandh with road transport and normal activities coming to a grinding halt. The manufacturing activities in several industrial clusters across the country totally stopped due to the strike.

The unprecedented response to the strike reflects the anger and resentment of the workers against the attacks on their working and living conditions and the attempts to deny their basic justifys by amending the labour laws to benefit the national and multinational corporations. It reflects the anger at ignoring their basic demands that were being raised since the last several years. It also reflects the determination of the working class to fight back the nefarious design of the corporate-serving Govt at the centre to impose slavery on them through draconian changes in all labour laws. Through this strike the working class of India has warned the government that it was not going to take lying down the attacks on its basic justifys. It also warned the government that policies that mortgage the country to corporate interests, both foreign and domestic will not be tolerated.

The CITU extends its gratitude to the massive support and solidarity extended to the strike by various sections of the people including kisans, agricultural workers, adivasis etc.

CITU demands the government to scrap all the anti worker amendments to the labour laws and take immediate concrete action on all the demands raised by the joint trade union movement.

It calls upon the working class to further strengthen the unity at the grass root level and be prepared for more intense struggles if the government chooses to continue with its policies.

Issued by,

(TAPAN SEN)
General Secretary

Source: Confederation

The post CITU Salutes the Working Class of India for the Historic Strike On 2nd September 2015 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

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: PIB News

The post Strike under reconsideration – Govt assured on Bonus, Minimum wage and Labour law issues appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today met leaders from various Trade Unions, over tea. The meeting followed extensive consultations that these leaders had with an inter-ministerial team headed by the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, earlier in the day.

The Prime Minister heard the views of the Trade Union leaders on various issues of interest to workers, including in areas related to economic policy, and related laws.

The Trade Unions represented at the meeting included AITUC, All India United Trade Union Centre, All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, CITU, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Hind Mazdoor Sangh, INTUC, Labour Progressive Federation, National Front of Indian Trade Unions, Self-Employed Women’s Association, Trade Union Coordination Centre, and United Trade Union Congress.

Union Ministers Shri Arun Jaitley, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Shri Piyush Goyal and Dr. Jitendra Singh were present at the meeting.

Source: PIB News

The post PM meets Trade Union Leaders appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.