For Central Government Employees nothing announced about the demand of Rs 18000 minimum wage

For Central Government Employees nothing announced about the demand of Rs 18000 minimum wage

"The working class is also betrayed contrary to the claims being made by the prime minister and the finance minister in regard to providing dignity to the workers. Nothing announced about the demand of Rs 18000 minimum wage to workers about 45 crore of them who were hoping against hope."

AITUC DEPLORES THE BJP LED NDA GOVT. FOR MAKING CRUEL JOKE ON THE SUFFERING PEOPLE

Press Release

The BJP led NDA government has once again attempted to throw jumlas on the face of suffering people of India through its vote on accounts (interim budget). The announcements made are with forthcoming elections in mind, just throwing statistics without any basis. On one hand side it is a cruel joke on the marginal farmers who hold land up to 2 hectares which number about 86 % of total farmers in the country offering rupees 17 per family per day. The rural landless poor who work in the fields and related agricultural activities have been offered nothing.

There is nothing in the budget statement to address unemployment which has reached highest in last 45 years. Nothing offered for job creation, no steps announced to fill up the already sanctioned central and state government posts. Hence the youth is once again cheated.

Those who should be covered in EPF in India should be about 10 crore workers which actually are yet not fully registered and hence all of them not been covered for pension. It is those registered only who are already being covered for pension that the pronouncement in this budget to be benefiting with pension of rupees three thousand where as demand of these workers is for pension not less than 7500. There is nothing in the budget for about 35 crore of unorganized sector workers other than the 10 crore workers who are covered under EPF. The working class is also betrayed contrary to the claims being made by the prime minister and the finance minister in regard to providing dignity to the workers. Nothing announced about the demand of Rs 18000 minimum wage to workers about 45 crore of them who were hoping against hope. The false claim of control on price rise is another insult on the people who are finding it too difficult to run their kitchens in the face of steep rise in the prices of every day essential items.

No tax increase on corporates or wealth tax which are very necessary to meet the present crisis ridden economy of the country. The hollowness of the government and its camouflaging ways were on display through this interim budget.

Statement by AITUC Secretariat

Source: Confederation

12 Point Charter of Demands: Meeting of Labour & Employment Minister with Central Trade Union Organizations

Meeting of Labour & Employment Minister with Central Trade Union Organizations on 12 Point Charter of Demands

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment(Independent Charge), Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar met the representative of all Central Trade Unions in Shram Shakti Bhawan on 7th November 2017 to discuss the issues raised in 12 Point Charter Demand of CTUOs. The meeting was attended by representatives of major Central Trade Unions including BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC and NFITU as well as Secretary, Labour and Employment Mrs. Sathiyavathy and other the senior officers of the Ministry. 12 Point Charter Demand of CTUOs inter alia raises issues of minimum wages, price rise, unemployment, disinvestment, universal social security, compulsory registration of trade unions, increase in minimum pension under EPFO and strict compliance and enforcement of labour laws. The Minister said that the Government has highest regard for the consultative process and he is committed to uphold it. He referred to the calls for nation-wide demonstrations on 9th-10th and 17th November by the CTUOs and BMS respectively and appealed the Trade Unions to rather engage in the constructive discussions on each of the issue raised by them.

Minister said that the Government and the Ministry of Labour and Employment has consistently and continuously taken pro-labour decisions and initiatives. He talked about initiatives like simultaneous increase in Minimum wages, the provision for National Floor Level Minimum wages in the proposed Labour Code on Wages. The Bonus Amendment Act, the decision to enhance Minimum pension to Rs. 1000/- as well as the other initiatives taken by other Ministries.

Trade Union representatives primarily demanded the Government to address the issues of enhancing Minimum Pension to Rs. 3000/- as well as Minimum Wages. They also talked at length about the issues related to enforcement of labour laws, and social security for unorganized workers including growing contractualization.

A presentation was also made by the Ministry to present an updated status on the 12 demands raised by the CTUOs.

Addressing the Media persons the Minister expressed hope that the talks with the Trade Union Representatives was positive and it was done in a cordial atmosphere. He appealed to the Trade Unions to call off the proposed Dharna.

PIB

Gratuity payment ceiling to double to Rs 20 lakh; Unions support government decision

Gratuity payment ceiling to double to Rs 20 lakh; Unions support government decision

The employees of organised sector can now be allowed to withdraw up to Rs 20 lakh from their gratuity fund. In a meeting between the labour ministry and representatives from states, employees and employers on Thursday, the decision reached to the consensus.

The central trade unions have also agreed on doubling gratuity amount ceiling as an interim measure in a tripartite meeting on the proposed amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act conducted today by the Labour Ministry.

The unions demanded the removal of conditions asking to have at least 10 employees in an establishment and minimum five years of service for payment of gratuity.

"While accepting the maximum payment limit of Rs 20 lakh as an interim measure, the unions demanded that the ceilings/ limit with respect to number of employees and years of service should be removed," the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said in a statement.

It said, "The central trade unions have been urging the government that the ceiling in the amount of gratuity should be removed."

At present, as per the Payment of Gratuity Act, an employee is required to do minimum service of five years to become eligible for gratuity amount. Moreover, the Act applies to those establishments where the number of employees is not less than 10.

The statement said the application of amended provision regarding maximum amount should be made effective from January 1, 2016 as done in the case of central government employees.
Besides that rate of 15 days wages for each completed year of service be raised to 30 days wages, the unions demanded.

The proposed amendment to the Payment of Gratuity Act as circulated by the government along with the letter dated February 15, 2017 only deals with enhancing the ceiling of maximum amount under Section 4(3) of the Act from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, the unions said.

They pointed out during the meeting that the proposed amendment is being brought to bring the maximum ceiling amount to Rs 20 lakh in line with recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission as accepted by the government.

The relevant amendment for central government employees was notified on July 25, 2016 and the enhanced amount ceiling was made effective from January 1, 2016.

The unions are of the view that the delay of 8 months for employees covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act should not result in adversely affecting the interest of the concerned employees.

The employers as well as state representatives also agreed to the proposal of raising the amount of gratuity to Rs 20 lakh, it said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Sept 2 nationwide strike to be bigger than last year’s: Unions

Sept 2 nationwide strike to be bigger than last year’s: Unions

New Delhi: As many as 10 central trade unions will go ahead with the general strike on Friday saying the government gave no heed to their 12-point charter of demands and is continuing with unilateral labour reforms.

CTUs claimed that over 15 crore workers are likely to participate in the strike and it will be bigger than the one held last year as members of BMS will also support them.

RSS-affiliated Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is the only major trade union which has opted out of strike – like last year – which was also held on September 2, in view of the assurances given by the government.
“Some leaders of Bmshave decided not to go on strike. But its state units would participate in the strike. Workers will give a befitting reply to the dubious activities inspired by the government,” CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen said here in a joint press conference by 10 CTUs here.

CTUs reiterate the call for countrywide general strike on September 2 against the “anti-worker and anti-people policies” of the government and in view of its “utterly unresponsive and undemocratic attitude”, Sen added.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Secretary Amarjeet Kaur said the unions view the announcements made by Ministers’ panel, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as an eyewash.

“It is like cheating the people,” she said, adding that this time the number will be bigger than 15 crore who participated in the general strike last year and more than 10 states will have bandh-like situation.
Strike is going to be complete in industrial sectors such as transport, financial, power, coal, textile, port and dock, automobile, steel, oil, defence production, scheme, education and Central and State government employees, Kaur added.

Referring to BMS decision not to participate in the strike, Kaur said: “Government has not had a single meeting with the CTUs in over a year and is talking to those (BMS) who have not given a strike notice.”
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Vice President Ashok Singh said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his fight is with poverty, but it seems his fight is with the poor in this country. The government’s decision are totally pro-capitalist.”

CTUs expressed dismay over “utterly negative” attitude of the government on basic demands of workers on minimum wages as per consensus formulation of Indian Labour Conference, on universal social security including pension for all workers including those in unorganised sector, among others.
They added that government is dragging its feet over the mass scale contractorisation of permanent and perennial work.

Attacking the government’s initiatives on labour reforms, the unions said: “All these proactive initiatives militate against the basic interests and rights of the working people. Even the non-striking CTU (BMS) also officially recorded its opposition.

PTI

AITUC backs central government employees call for strike

AITUC backs central govt employees’ call for strike

Says, minimum wage fixed by the Commission and accepted by the govt is too low for Class III employees

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has extended support to the central government employees who will go on strike from July 11 to protest against a ‘meagre’ pay hike approved by the Union Cabinet.

“AITUC Secretariat in its emergent meeting has supported the call given by National Joint Council of Action of Central Government Employees Unions including Railways, P&T and Defence etc. To go for indefinite strike from July 11, 2016, against the unilateral announcement of the Central government on implementation of recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission,” AITUC Secretary D L Sachdev said in a statement.

AITUC stated that the minimum wage fixed by the Commission and accepted by the government is too low for Class III employees of the government.

It further said that setting up of a committee by the government for streamlining the new pension scheme is also an eyewash.

The committee should actually review NPS by replacing it with the old pension scheme. It is for the first time that pay hike is the lowest in the last 70 years. It is unfortunate that the government did not discuss these recommendations with NJCA and announced its decision unilaterally, it said.

“It is learnt that Group of Ministers led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh had a discussion with NJCA on June 30, 2016 night and proposed setting up of a minimum wage and fitment committee but no notification to this effect has been issued till now and the Central government employees are fully justified in implementing call for strike,” it said.

The Central Trade Unions will be meeting on July 7 to chalk out an action plan to express their solidarity with the agitating government employees. AITUC has also given a call for its affiliates to fully support the strike from July 11, 2016, it added.

Source : http://www.business-standard.com/

Merge 50% DR with basic pension,Constitute 7th CPC, provide representation to Pensioners in Rajya Sabha & Medical facilities to Pensioner-Sh S.S.Ramasubbu M.P writes to PM

Merge 50% DR with basic pension,Constitute 7th CPC, provide representation to Pensioners in Rajya Sabha & Medical facilities to Pensioner-Sh S.S.Ramasubbu M.P writes to PM

S.S.RAMASUBBU, M.A.,
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT - (LOK SABHA)
Indian National Congress,
Tirunelveli.

72-V, Ambai Road, Alangulam,
Tirunelveli Dt., Tamil nadu - 627851, INDIA
Phone - 04633 - 270230
Mobile : 09440070147
Website  : www.nellaimp.com
E-mail : ramasubbu@nellaimp.com

Member :
Standing Committee on Science and Technology
Enviorment and Forest
Consultative Committee on Defence
JIPMER - Puduchery

8 August, 2013

Respected Prime Minister,

Subject : Request to consider the genuine grievances of Central Government Pensioners - Regarding.

Namaskar,
Herewith, I am forwarding the representation submitted by All India Central Government Pensioner's Association, New No. 3-F2, (Old No. 1/1A), Radhakrishnan Street, T.Nagar, Chennai-600017 on the above subject for your kind perusal.

The above Association was formed in January 1969 and presently its membership crossed 1250. The pensioners are facing with some genuine grievances and their Charter of Demands is enclosed. However, I am placing below their important long pending demands for your kind consideration :

i) Merger of 50% Dearness Relief with Basic Pension w.e.f. 1.1.2011
ii) Constitution of VII Central Pay Commission ;
iii) Representation of at least one pensioner's representative in Rajya Sabha;
iv) To extend medical facilities to all pensioners by accepting the recommendations of VI Central Pay Commission.

Awaiting your early favourable action.

With warm regards,

Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(S.S.Ramasubbu)
8.8.2013

Dr.Manmohan Singh,
Hon'ble Prime Minister
Government of India
New Delhi

Source: www.scm-bps.blogspot.in
[http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2013/09/merge-50-dr-with-basic.html]

Government Initiatives on proposed Strike by the Central Trade Unions

Government Initiatives on proposed Strike by the Central Trade Unions

As directed by the Prime Minister, senior Ministers in the Union Cabinet – Shri A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Labour & Employment held a round of discussions with the representatives of the Central Trade Unions on the evening of 18th February to convey the serious intent of the Government to resolve the various issues raised in their charter of demands. The list of participants is at.


The representatives of the Central Trade Unions reiterated their demand for the Government to take concrete measures to contain price rise, to ensure employment generation, strict enforcement of labour laws, universal social security for unorganized and organized workers, stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State Public Sector Undertakings. Some of the issues raised by them also related to payment of minimum wages of Rs.10,000/-, abolition of contract labour, payment of equal wages and benefits to contract workers at par with regular workers, removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund, increasing the quantum of gratuity, assured pension for all, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Convention No.87 and 98.

The Ministers explained to the representatives of the Central Trade Unions the various measures taken by the Government to control price-rise and contain inflation in the country. Particular attention was drawn to the huge food subsidy incurred by the Government to ensure availability of food grains to the poor at very concessional rates through the Public Distribution System. The Government’s efforts to pass the Food Security Bill in the Parliament will further increase the availability of subsidized food grains to the larger segments of the population and the Government is prepared to meet the extra burden on this account. The Government’s commitment to help the poor is also evident from the large amount of subsidy for fertilizers and fuel to ensure their supply at reasonable rate to the people.

The Government is also keen to introduce amendments to the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and various other labour laws to improve the conditions of the workers and to give them substantial relief. A National Employment Policy is going to be announced shortly to encourage higher employment to women, to promote skill development and inclusive growth. Some of these proposals are going to be discussed in the meetings of the Union Cabinet shortly. The Government has already approved the National Manufacturing Policy in November, 2011 which envisages the creation of 100 million jobs in the country by 2022.

The Ministers pointed out the huge loss to the economy in case the strike is resorted to by the Central Trade Unions. Apart from substantial production loss, the strike is also likely to cause inconvenience to the general public and loss of wages to the workers. In view of this, the Ministers appealed to the Central Trade Union Leaders to call off the strike.

At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Central Trade Unions informed that they are going to discuss the proposal of the Government in a meeting on 19th Feb., 2013 and take further decision on the proposed strike.

Source: PIB

Unions refuse to relent on strike call, talks with ministers collapse

Unions refuse to relent on strike call, talks with ministers collapse

 

Eleven Central trade unions tonight stuck to their call for a two-day nation-wide strike from Wednesday after talks with senior ministers convened at the instance of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh failed.

 

Rejecting the prime minister’s appeal on Sunday to the unions to call of the stir, the trade unions said the panel of ministers failed to give them any concrete proposal and that not even one of their demands were accepted.

"The strike is on… They are only asking for time. They say they will study the demand and will give proper reply or take necessary action later on… We said it is not possible, there should be some concrete decision over demands of the workers," INTUC President G Sanjeeva Reddy told reporters.

 

INTUC is affiliated to the Congress.

 

AITUC General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta also endorsed Reddy’s views.

 

The two-hour long meeting was attended by representatives of all the 11 trade unions.

 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on Sunday appealed to the unions to call off their strike as it would cause loss to economy besides inconvenience to people and offered talks.

 

The Prime Minister had requested his senior Cabinet colleagues A K Antony, Sharad Pawar and P Chidambaram besides Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge to hold discussions with the union leaders.

 

Finance Minister P Chidambaram could not attend the meeting because of ongoing budget meetings.

 

The meeting took place in Antony’s office at the Defence Ministry.

 

Reddy also said that government failed to offer any alternative to their call for strike.

 

"If no demand is settled and no concrete assurance is given, it is very difficult for the trade unions to withdraw or postpone the strike," he said.

 

Asked what were the offers given to unions from the government, he said, "No offer, they wanted more time. We said we have already given two years time. We placed the demands three years before, so three years time we already gave, so there is no question of giving more time."

 

The government could not give any concrete assurance on any one single demand,he said, adding therefore we are sticking to our strike plan.

 

The 10 demands mainly related to checking of price rise, generation of employment, halting of disinvestment in public sector enterprises and implementation of labour laws.

 

Source: DDI News