Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh discusses Insurance and Pension related issues with Dr Jitendra Singh

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh discusses Insurance and Pension related issues with Dr Jitendra Singh

14 MAY 2018

A delegation of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), represented by its Pratiraksha (Industrial) unit called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here today and discussed wide range of issues related to Central Government employees, including Insurance, Pension, promotions and other matters.

In a memorandum presented to the Minister, the delegation submitted that the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme was notified on 1st November 1980 and came into effect from 1st January 1982. The scheme is intended to provide Central Government employees, at a low cost, on a wholly contributory and self-financing basis, the twin benefits of an insurance cover to their families in the event of death in service and a lump-sum payment to augment their financial sources on retirement. However, the BMS demands that the government should immediately notify the customized Group Insurance Scheme for Central Government employees with low premium and high risk cover.

The memorandum also expressed discontentment of a section of employees for being left out from the provision of minimum guaranteed pension under National Pension Scheme (NPS). It requested that a minimum pension be guaranteed equivalent to 50% of the employee's last drawn Basic Pay plus Dearness Relief for neutralization of price rise.

Among other issues raised by the delegation was the demand for one-time relaxation for compassionate appointments. This has become important because a large number of wards are waiting for their appointment on compassionate grounds to look after their family.
The delegation also demanded the framing of an appropriate transfer policy in all cadres in favour of single woman/single mother employees. They requested that whenever such women are given postings, it should be mandatorily ensured that they are placed at stations closest to their hometown or the place of their choice.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that he will direct the DoPT to process the issues related to them, while other issues related to other Ministries will be referred for the perusal and views of the respective Ministries.

PIB

Budget disappointing for the Labour - Press Statement Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)

Budget disappointing for the Labour - Press Statement Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)

Ref-BMS/D-20/37/2018

Dated-01-02-2018

Press statement issued by Sri Virjesh Upadhyay , General Secretary, BMS on 1st February 2018.

Budget disappointing for the Labour - BMS to hold countrywide demonstrations on 2nd February

Even though today’s budget for the first time has given more thrust to rural development, agriculture, health, infrastructure etc., it has totally neglected the woes of labour. Anganwadi workers, ASHA karmis and other scheme workers who belong to the poorest paid workers appointed under the Central Government have nothing as relief in the budget. Middle class employees are unhappy with no increase in their ceiling for tax exemption; at the same time the cess on income tax is increased from 3% to 4%. This was done at a time when the budget claimes 41% increase in the tax payers’ net.
Moreover the Government treasury has been hugely benefitted by the new GST regime, demonetization and digitalized bank transactions. Now there is a system by which last paise to be paid as direct or indirect tax will reach the Govt. treasury.

The unorganized sector workers' Social security fund is also not given any support in the budget. Budget says the women employees need to pay only 8% contribution to EPF in startups. The increase in take home salary for women will reduce 16% of their future savings in the EPF when they leave their establishment within few years. The burden of merger of Insurance Companies also will be on the workers, and there is no Government’s assurance on their job security, transfer, promotion etc.

There is also no provision for revival of viable sick CPSUs, instead the Government is focusing its attention on Strategic sale of 24PSUs; increase in EPF pension from the current Rs.1000/- and budget allocation for cess withdraw from 9 labour welfare funds. Budget also omitted to increase allocation for MGNREGA so that it can increase the wage and number of working days.

Budget unilaterally announces fixed term employment to be extended to all employment. All labour related changes in law has to be discussed in the tripartite forum and then finalized. Now the draft notification on fixed term employment issued on 8th January is pending consultation with trade unions. In the meanwhile it is totally unfair on the part of Government to unilaterally announce it in Budget.

All these shows the total neglect of Government on labour. It is a labour unfriendly budget.

Hence, BMS decided to protest against Budget. It directs all its units to hold demonstrations demanding review on budget proposals.

its future course on unsettled issues related to labour will be decided in the coming National  Executive Committee meeting to be held on 6-8 February .

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Virjesh Upadhyay)
General Secretary

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

Government faces 7th Pay Commission’s pay gap problem

Government faces 7th Pay Commission’s pay gap problem

New Delhi: The Modi government’s decision to accord the 7th Pay Commission recommendation to hike salaries and allowances for central government employees has met with strong resistance from central government employees’ trade unions, including the RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).

The Union Cabinet approved the recommendations made by the 7th pay commission on June 29, which is likely to see a higher increase in the basic pay by average 14.29 percent, which is the lowest in 70 years.

The minimum monthly pay has been increased from Rs 7000 to Rs 18,000.

The central government employees Unions leaders on the same day said the approved hike was lowest in many decades and were not in sync with inflation. They also said it is “totally disappointing and beats logic”.

Accordingly, they rejected the 7th Pay Commission approved by the government and threatened to go on indefinite strike from 6 am, 11 July.

The central government employees unions have been demanding Rs 26,000 as minimum pay instead of Rs 18,000 approved by the government based on the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations.

“Now, Basic pay Rs 7,000 plus dearness allowance (DA) Rs 8,750 makes the minimum wage Rs.15,750. They have increased it to Rs.18,000,” a central government employees’ union leader said.

“When you are doing away with DA in the new system, the hike may be just Rs.2,250,” another union leader said.

Under pressure from the unions, the government has indicated that it may increase the minimum pay of central government employees beyond the Rs.18,000 suggested by the 7th Pay Commission, seeking to defuse a strike threat.

Acoordingly, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met with representatives of central government employees unions at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s house for two hours till 11pm, a day after the cabinet cleared 7th Pay Commission award for its employees.

Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu and Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha attended the meeting and assured unions leaders of central government employees that their demand would be looked into.

“The ministers called us and we have been assured that the minimum pay issue is going to be referred to one of two committees that the government is setting up to rectify any anomalies in the pay commission recommendation implementation,” Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary of the National Joint Council Action (NJCA), a confederation of 3.3 million government employees, told reporters after the meeting.

The increasing the minimum pay will change the salary fitment factor. If the minimum pay is hiked from Rs.18,000 to even Rs.25,000, the fitment factor will be higher than the 2.57 times approved by the government based on the pay commission recommendations.

If the 2.57 fitment formula is tinkered with, then salary and pension in general for all central government employees will go up.

The Cabinet ditto with the 7h Pay Commission recommendations, the commission recommended for raising minimum pay to Rs 18,000 per month from current Rs 7,000 while the maximum pay, drawn by the Cabinet Secretary, was recommended Rs 2.5 lakh per month from current Rs 90,000. For the Secretaries it was recommended at Rs 2.25 lakh as against Rs 80,000 currently.

All pay commissions made up pay gap between lower paid employees and top officers from second Pay Commission 1:41 ratio to Sixth pay commission 1:12.

The first pay commission was recommended pay of the top bureaucrats 41 times higher than the government employees at the bottom. The top bureaucrats were given salary Rs 2,263 while the lowest earning employees got Rs 55.

Subsequent pay commissions reduced the ratio of pay between lowest earning employees and top bureaucrats from 1:41 in 1947 to about 1:12 in 2006.

The 7h Pay Commission increased the pay gap between the minimum and maximum from existing 1:12 to 1:13.8

The pay gap increases employee’s turnover and work-related illness, with all the associated economic consequences.

The bureaucrats with high pay are generally happier, healthier and a better place to live for almost everyone in them compare to the lower earning employees.

A pay gap is calculated as the ratio of the pay of the highest paid employee of an organisation to the pay of the average or lowest paid employee in that organisation.

Speculations were rife that the central government employees unions may defer the July 11 indefinite strike after government heeded to their demand of increasing minimum pay to over Rs 25,000 from Rs 18,000 fixed after considering the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

Under the fitment formula, the government multiplied the minimum wage of Rs 7,000 fixed in the last pay commission with 2.57 and arrived at a minimum pay of Rs 18,000 per month.

The employees are demanding for the fitment formula of 3.68, which will result in minimum monthly pay of Rs 25,760.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has already promised to consider to hike the minimum pay of central government employees beyond Rs 18,000.

TST

Unions to protest lowering provident fund interest rate on Apr 29

Unions to protest lowering provident fund interest rate on Apr 29

Trade unions today gave call for day-long nationwide protest on Friday against Finance Ministry’s decision to fix 8.7 per cent interest rate for provident fund subscribers, lower than 8.8 per cent decided by the EPFO.

“While condemning such arrogant anti-worker approach of the government, the central trade unions call upon the workers and the trade unions irrespective of affiliations to protest against the same by holding demonstrations, meeting, etc on April 29, 2016, throughout the country,” ten central trade unions said in a joint statement today.

The unions include Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions and All India United Trade Union Centre.

However, RSS-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has opted out of the proposed stir.
When contacted, BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadyay said, “BMS will hold a nationwide protest tomorrow.”

The unions strongly denounce the “unilateral reduction” in interest rate on Employees Provident Fund (EPF) from 8.8 per cent to 8.7 per cent, ignoring the unanimous decision of tripartite Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of EPFO, the statement added.

CBT, which is headed by the Labour Minister, is the apex decision making body of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

“On February 16, 2016, the CBT of EPFO, in its meeting chaired by Labour Minister (Bandaru Dattatreya) unanimously decided the interest rate on EPF at 8.8 per cent as an interim measure with an indication of increasing it further in view of availability of funds generated by EPF,” it said.

But the Finance Ministry, imposed its decision to reduce the interest rate further to 8.7 per cent without even consulting the CBT, it added.

Yesterday, Dattatreya told Lok Sabha: “The CBT, at its meeting held in February 2016, had proposed an interim rate of interest at 8.8 per cent to be credited to the accounts of EPF subscribers for 2015-16. The Finance Ministry has, however, ratified an interest rate of 8.7 per cent.”

The interest rate for 2013-14 and 2014-15 was fixed at 8.75 per cent.

It is probably for the first time that Finance Ministry has overruled the decision of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) on the interest rate.

PTI

Central trade unions will announce one-day nationwide strike on September 2

Central trade unions will announce one-day nationwide strike on September 2 to protest against government’s unilateral labour reforms and “anti-workers” policies.

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

Status of Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC in Ordnance Factories – BPMS

Status of Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC in Ordnance Factories – BPMS

 

Status of Incentive for QC (OFB) Examiners

Grievance Status

 

Current Status : The proposal is under consideration. It being a policy issue needs time to examine threadbare. Decision will be communicated in due course.

Date of Action : 26 Jun 2014

The text of the letter is reproduced below…

 

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH

(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)

CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222

MOBILE: 09415733686, 09235729390, 09335621629, WEB : www.bpms.org.in

 

REF: BPMS / MOD / 72(7/3/R)

Dated: 15.02.2014

To,

The Joint Secretary (P &C),

Department of Defence Production,

Govt of India, Min of Defence,

South Block, DHQ PO,

New Delhi – 110011.

 

Subject: Motivation through Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC in Ord Fys.

Respected Madam,

 

With due regards, your attention is invited to meeting held with your good self and BPMS reps on 12.12.2013 wherein one of the issues was raised regarding grant of incentive bonus to Examiners of Quality Control in Ordnance & Ordnance Equipment Factories and you had assured to do the needful.

This letter is to bring to your kind notice that vide OFB letter No. 108/POLICY/TS/QCS, Dated 12.09.2012 addressed to Sr GM /GM of all Ord Fys, the then DGOF & Chairman OFB had reflected his concerns over the ‘Quality Management System in Ordnance Factories’ which needs improvement to enhance User’s confidence in our products.

 

In this regard, this federation vide letter no. BPMS / OFB / 72(7/3/R), dated 19.09.2012 urged the then DGOF & Chairman, OFB to give some incentive to Examiners at least on par with Maintenance workers to motivate the Examiners, to contribute their knowledge, experience cent percent to the organization.

This federation has been grateful to the OFB on considering the above in correct perspective and for inviting the comments from Sr GMs/GMs of all Ordnance Factories whether Examiners may be provided some incentives. It is learnt that almost all Sr GMs/GMs have recognized the role of Examiners and recommended to grant incentive to Examiners at least on par with Maintenance workers. Since then the matter is pending in OFB.

 

Therefore, you are requested to take necessary action on priority to give Incentive Bonus to Examiners of QC at least on par with Maintenance Workers to boost the morale of Examiners and remove their apathetic attitude.

 

Thanking you.

Sincerely yours

sd/-

(MUKESH SINGH)

Secretary/BPMS &

Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Source: BPMS

BPMS leaders met Finance & Defence Minister Arun Jaitley

BPMS leaders met Finance & Defence Minister Arun Jaitley – Outcome of meeting held with Finance & Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on 16.6.2014…

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)

New Delhi
Dated: 16.06.2014

To,
The Office Bearers,
CEC Members, JCM (II, III) members,
Union’s President/Secretaries of B.P.M.S.

SUBJECT: – Brief of meeting held with Hon’ble Fin. & Def. Minister

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Sadar Namaskar,

It is for your kind information that our delegates S/Sri V L Nawade , Sadhu Singh, Mukesh Singh & Virendar Sharma today had a meeting with Hon’ble Finance & Defence Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley at 1300 hrs. It was scheduled as a courtesy meeting but we invited his attention to the news articles on 100% FDI in defence sector because it was a great concern for all the stake holders. We reflected our concern vide a memorandum submitted by Shri Sadhu Singh (copy of the same is enclosed for ready reference).
Hon’ble Minister narrated how the Secretary, DIPP came to his office with the concerned minister on the same day of assuming the charge of ministry and shown the discussion paper prepared during the previous Government on 100% FDI in defence sector which he rejected at once. He has assured us that he is not in favour of 100% FDI in defence sector as neither it is required nor it is in the interest of the Nation. Not only that, he would take all the necessary steps to strengthen the existing Ordnance Factories & DPSUs but on the same time these defence installations require introspection.

Apart from above, some of the following issues were also brought to his notice which were considered by him very sympathetically and assured that appropriate action would be taken by concerned authorities:-

1. Defence installations should be exempted from 5% limit of Compassionate ground appointment and one time relaxation for all pending cases,

2. Re-draft the role of Defence (Finance) so that service matters like Recruitment Rules, Cadre Review, revival of sanctioned posts, payment of arrears, revision of allowances etc. may be settled at the earliest,

3. Judicial pronouncements may be extended to similarly placed non-petitioner employees,
4. The meeting of Departmental Council (JCM), MOD is not being convened regularly,

5. None of the Administrative Joint Secretaries of Departments of MOD has implemented the instruction {MOD I.D. No. 1(1)/2013/D(JCM), dated 22.10.2013} on the Mechanism to provide additional meeting opportunities to Staff Side to sort out their grievances,

6. The minimum benefit under Central Government Employees Groups Insurance Scheme should be enhanced to Rs. 10 lakh,

7. Dearness Allowance should be merged with Basic Pay,

8. Scrap the New Pension Scheme and restore old Pension Scheme,

9. CSD Canteen facilities may be provided to the retired Defence Civilian Employees,

10. A separate meeting to discuss the issues related to Department of Defence Production (OFB, DGQA, DGAQA etc.).

After that we met Shri Navin Kumar Chaudhari, Joint Secretary (Establishment), Min of Defence and discussed following issues besides all the above issues;

1. Probable date of completion (PDC) on the pattern of citizen charters should be fixed for resolving the issues, for movement of file/paper from desk to desk/section in respect of issues raised by JCM/Federations and latest position should be updated in website,

2. A permanent cell of empowered officers from Min of Defence, Finance, Law, Labour, DoPT etc. should be constituted in MoD so that the Cadre Review & Recruitment Rules of Group ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ may be revised expeditely.

3. Remove the artificial restriction of 40 days PLB for AOC, Navy, Air Force, EME & Ordnance Factories. The PLB should not be less than the Adhoc Bonus of 30 days, and all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus should be removed, JS (E) immediately called the DS (E) & DS (CP) and instructed to convene regular meetings of JCM and next meeting of Departmental Council (JCM), MOD may be convened on 24.06.2014 in Sena Bhawan.

With regards,
Sincerely yours
sd/-
(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary / BPMS &
Member JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Source: www.bpms.org.in