EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER OCTOBER-2016
MESSAGE OF Xth FEDERAL COUNCIL
Xth Federal Council of National
Federation of Postal Employees was held at Guwahati (Assam) from 7th
September to 9th September, 2016. A galaxy of Trade Union leaders
admired the struggling nature of NFPE moving on the path with a slogan “Unity
for struggle and struggle for unity”. The Federal Council reviewed the
Political, economical and social condition of India and its impact on working
class. It was discussed in detail that during the period under review, higher
administration of the Department of Posts and Government of India tried to make
some structural changes in the Department of Post which was fought by NFPE and
defeated and NFPE established its might. There is significant change in the mindset
of Bureaucracy and our membership has gained faith a lot in union which has
been reflected in last membership verification.
The Federal Council reviews the
recommendations of 7th CPC and it was the view of most of the
delegates that the recommendations of 7th CPC are most retrograde
and disappointing. More anomalies are appearing in implementation of the 7th
CPC. The Committees formed on
allowances, advances, NPS and so called
High Power committee to review the minimum wage
and consequently change in pay
matrix , have to submit their reports within 4 months i.e. upto 31st Oct, 2016.
It was the view of most of the
delegates that NJCA should take proper action to achieve the demands and
without breaking the unity, Confederation and NFPE should also chalk out their
separate programme of action in phased manner.
It was also discussed and decided
that we as NFPE should also launch agitational programmes in phased manner to achieve
our sectional demands i.e. Cadre restructuring
for left out Categories, Filling up of vacant posts, enhancement of
ceiling of bonus to GDS . GDS Committee,streaming the functioning of NCJCM,
DCJCM and RJCM. Regularization and wage revision of casual labourers, All Cadre
related problems, problems arising out of implementation of CBS and CSI and to
oppose the move to outsource any function of Postal services.
Policy and programmes resolution was
also adopted in the Federal Council unanimously in which it is decided that the
NFPE being in the main stream of working class will fight against the neo-liberal
economic policies which are adversely affecting the life of all working people
and common man.
This Federal Council viewed with
grave concern the growing right Wing offensives under NDA Government and
aggressive activities of the communal forces and deliberate efforts to divide
the people including workers on the basis caste and religion and took unanimous
decision to defeat such move by organizing united struggles and shall stand
finally with the secular and democratic forces.
Thus the Xth Federal Council has
given a very common message to the
Postal workers particularly and common
worker in general that NFPE will march
forward on the path of struggle to save the interests of workers and achieve
the genuine and justified demands by united struggle.
The Xth Federal Council has also
adopted a resolution on common and specific demands of Postal Employees and
decided further course of agitaional programmes in phased manner
NFPE calls upon the entire Postal,
RMS, and MMS employees to get ready for future struggles to achieve the genuine
demands and resists the attacks and dangers unlashed by the Department of Post
and Government of India which are against the Postal Workers.
LIST OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICER BEARERS OF NFPE ELECTED IN Xth FEDERAL
COUNCIL HELD AT GUWAHATI (ASSAM) FROM 07th to 09th 2016 :
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS.
No.17/16/2016-SR
Government
of India
Ministry
of Communications & IT
Department
of Posts
(SR
Section)
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi- 110001.
Dated the 28th
September, 2016.
To,
1.
All
Heads of Postal Circle.
2.
All
Postmasters General.
3.
Director
of Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad (UP).
4.
CGM,
PLI Directorate, Chankyapuri PO, New Delhi.
5.
CGM,
(BD&M) Directorate, Dak Bhavan, New Delhi.
6.
Postmaster
General, Foreign Mails, Mumbai.
7.
All
Directors, Postal Training Centres.
8.
Directors
Foreign Mails, Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi.
9.
All
Directors/Dy. Directors of Accounts (Postal).
Subject:- List of new office bearers of National Federation of Postal
Employees elected in 10th Federal Council of the said federation
held at Guwahati (Assam) from 07-09-2016 to 09-09-2016.
Madam/Sir,
I
am directed to state that fresh election of National Federation of Postal
Employees has been conducted and a list of new office bearers elected in 10th Federal Council of the said union held at Guwahati
(Assam) from 07-09-2016 to 09-09-2016 is as under:-
Designation
|
Name of the Office
Bearer (Shri/Smt.)
|
Official Designation & Working
Place
|
President
|
Sh. Giri Raj Singh
|
SA (MACP-III) R-3 (Delhi).
|
Working President
|
Sh. A. Manoharan
|
(P-3 Tamilnadu)
|
Vice Presidents
|
1.
Sh.
K.K. Sharma
|
Mail Man, S.J. Stg. Office Air Mail Stg. Dn. New Delhi.
|
2.
Sh.
Umashankar Chakraborti
|
Supervisor (HSG-II), O/o DPLI Kolkata.
|
|
3.
Sh.
S.B. Yadav
|
Sr. Accountant, O/o DA (P) Lucknow (U.P.)
|
|
Secretary General
|
Sh. R.N. Parashar
|
APM Accounts, Mathura HO (U.P.).
|
Deputy Secretary General
|
Smt. R. Seethalakshmi
|
Post woman, Bangalore City H.O.-560002 (Karnataka).
|
Asstt. Secretaries General
|
1. Sh. S. Raghupathy
|
ASPM, Perambur Barracks P.O., Chennai (TN)
|
2. Sh. Janardhan Mazumdar
|
PA, Princep Street PO Kolkata (WB)
|
|
3. Sh. M.V. Janardanan
|
Postman, Kannur H.O. (Kerala).
|
|
Financial Secretary
|
Sh. Raj Kumar
|
Stg., Postman, Karol Bagh P.O., New Delhi – 110005.
|
2. This
is for information and taking necessary action as per existing instructions on
the subject.
Yours
faithfully,
Sd/-
(Amit
Pankaj)
ADG
(SR & Legal/ Pension)
Copy to: 1.Secretary General, National Federation of
Postal Employees, 1st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi
– 110001.
2 All Sections in the Department of Posts.
Sd/-
(Amit
Pankaj)
ADG
(SR & Legal/ Pension)
7th CPC PAY
FIXATION AND GRANT OF INCREMENT IN REVISED PAY STRUCTURE – FINMIN ISSUED
CLARIFICATION ORDERS ON 29.9.2016 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Thursday, September 29, 2016
FLASH NEWS
Regarding grant of enhanced bonus of 7000 to GDS,
Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE discussed with Chairman, GDS Committee,
Shri Kamalesh Chandra today (29.09.2016). Chairman informed that he had
recommended for payment of bonus to GDS at the enhanced calculation ceiling of
Rs. 7000/- and the file returned to Postal Board. (Last time Nataraja Murthy Committee
has recommended that GDS should not
be paid enhanced bonus and their bonus should be reduced to 50% of the
departmental employees). Now that, GDS committee has recommended 7000, Postal
JCA has demanded Postal Board to issue bonus orders of GDS with calculation
ceiling of 7000/- without any further delay.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi - 110001
NFPE
FEDERAL SECRETARIAT MEETING
The Federal Secretariat meeting of NFPE was
held at New Delhi on 27.09.2016 under the presidentship of Com. Giriraj Singh,
President, NFPE. Representatives of all affiliated organisations attended the
meeting. Com. M. Krishnan, Ex-Secretary General & Secretary General,
Confederation also attended and guided the discussion and decisions. Com. R. N.
Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE reported the non-grant of enhanced bonus to
GDS and the efforts made by NFPE leadership to settle the issue. He also
reported the non-settlement of payment of arrears to casual Labourers inspite
of orders issued by Directorate. Com. Parashar, reported the details discussion
he had with Shri. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General FNPO and placed the
following proposal of PJCA before the Secretariat meeting.
1.
Phase programme of action culminating in two days
nation wide strike on 9th & 10th November 2016
exclusively on the bonus demand of GDS and revision of wages of casual
labourers.
2.
The Secretariat after detailed discussion decided
to implement the decision of PJCA. Accordingly the Federatl Secretariat calls
upon all Branch/Divisional/Circle Secretaries of NFPE affiliated
Unions/Associations and also AIPEU-GDS to make the agitational programmes and
two days strike cent percent success. (NJCA Circular published separately)
HOMAGE TO COM. DES RAJ
SHARMA
Before commencement of the meeting, the National
Secretariat paid respectful homage to Late Com. Des Raj Sharma, Ex-General
Secretary, P-IV CHQ & Ex-Deputy Secretary General, NFPE. The Secretary
General and all other participants mentioned about the unforgettable
contributions made by Com. Des Raj Sharma and also his sufferings for
strengthening P-4 Union, NFPE and Confederation. The National Secretariat
expressed it heart-felt condolences and offered two minutes silence.
DEPARTMENTAL ANOMALY
COMMITTEE – DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
Secretary General
reported the communication received from the Department regarding constituition
of Departmental Anomaly Committee. The following will represent NFPE in the
Committee against the 5 seats allotted to NFPE. Com. R. N. Parashar (SG &
GS – P3), Com. Giriraj Singh (GS-R3) Com. R. Seethalakshmi (GS-P4), Com. P.
Suresh (GS-R4) Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee (Admin Union).
It is decided
that all General Secretaries should submit the items to be included in the
agenda of the Anomaly Committee to Com. Giriraj Singh, Secretary, JCM (DC)
staff side on or before 15.10.2016. Branch/Divisional/Circle Secretaries should
submit the items to their respective General Secretaries before 12.10.2016.
FINAL MEETING WITH CHAIRMAN
GDS COMMITTEE
Chairman GDS committee has invited NFPE for
final interaction before finalizing the recommendations. Accordingly, Com. R.
N. Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE and Com. P. Panduranga Rao, General
Secretary, AIPEU-GDS, shall attend the meeting on 7th October 2016.
Fraternally yours,
(R. N. Parshar)
Secretary General
COM. DES RAJ
SHARMA – THE UNCOMPROMISING FIGHTER
M. Krishnan. Ex-Secretary General, NFPE
Secretary General, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers
On 24th September I
was at Chennai, on the way to Gudur (AP) to attend the Circle Conference of
AIPEU Postmen & MTS Union. At about 09.25 PM, Com. R. Seethalakshmi,
General Secretary, P-IV union called me and informed – “Com. Des Raj Sharma
passed away.” After a few minutes Com. V. A. N. Namboodri also called. On the
previous day, i.e., on 23.09.2016, at 11.30 AM myself and Com. Seethalakshmi
had visited Com. Des Raj Sharma at his house at Karol Bagh, New Delhi and was
with him for about 2 hours. He had a heart attack and had undergone angioplasty
surgery for removal of five blocks. He was recovering fast. He discussed with
us about Com. Adi and his association with many great leaders of P&T Trade
union movement. He recollected his experiences while he was in the movement and
also after his retirement. As he was continuously talking, I asked his wife who
was sitting near, whether doctor has advised to restrict talking. His wife told
no such restriction. When we were about to leave, both of us told him to take
care of his health as per the advice of the doctor. Then Com. Des Raj Sharma
smilingly made a comment – “Don’t worry about my health. Doctor has given me
another five years guarantee. Now I am seventy one”. But while completing the
sentence his sound was shaken and eyes were full of tears. May be, he was aware
that death is nearing. We tried to console him and wished him long life. Next day
when the sad news came I was really shocked.
Com. Desraj Sharma was a symbol
of dedication, commitment and an uncompromising fighter. He truly represented the
tradition of Postmen, Group D & ED staff union lead by Com. Adi. He worked
as a CHQ office bearer under the dynamic leadership of the legendary leader
Com. K. Adinarayana for a long time. He stood firmly with Com. Adi during the periods
of trials and tribulations. It is Com. Adi who moulded Com. Desraj Sharma as a
leader.
Com. Desraj Sharma never
compromised with the enemies of NFPE and sometimes openly burst out against
those who want to break the unity of NFPE. In the Kolkata Federal Council, it
is the P-IV union which saved NFPE from a split and also helped NFPE to get
recognition. He succeeded in vacating all the stay orders against conducting
the Federal Council and also ensured rock-like unity among the P-IV Federal Councilors.
He was outright and never say one thing and act another. The enemies of NFPE were
afraid of Com. Desraj Sharma and they turned their guns against him always
After his taking over as the
General Secretary of P-IV union, he concentrated in streamlining the organisational
functioning of the union and helped the Branch/Divisional and Circle Unions to
overcome their weaknesses. He effectively intervened and settled all the organizational
disputes existed in many circles and consolidated the organizational unity and
militancy of P-IV union. He championed the cause of not only Postmen and
Group-D but his service was fully dedicated to the cause of GDS employees and
for their emancipation. As Deputy Secretary General of NFPE he fought for
safeguarding the unity of NFPE and also for settling the genuine demands of the
entire Postal employees. He was also in the forefront of all activities of
Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers. In the
negotiations with the administration he never compromised and was very
particular about result-oriented settlement.
Com. Desraj Sharma cannot be
compared with any other leader of Postal Trade union movement. “Desraj Sharma is
Desraj Sharma”. He will remain forever in the minds of the Postal employees and
Central Government employees.
Long Live Com.
Desraj Sharma!
Long live,
Long live!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
UNDERSTANDING MINIMUM WAGES AND BONUS
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment
24-September-2016 10:35 IST
Understanding Minimum Wages and Bonus
A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers or it is the price floor below which workers may not sell their labour.
 |
*Bandaru Dattatreya |
The concept of minimum wages first evolved with reference to remuneration of workers in those industries where the level of wages was substantially low as compared to the wages for similar types of labour in other industries. As far back as 1928, the International Labour Conference of International Labour Organization, at Geneva, adopted a draft convention on minimum wages requiring the member countries to create and maintain a machinery whereby minimum rates of wages can be fixed for workers employed in industries in which no arrangements exist for the effective regulation of wages and where wages are exceptionally low. Also, at the Preparatory Asian Regional Labour Conference of International Labour Organisation held at New Delhi in 1947 and then at the 3rd session of the Asian Regional Labour Conference, it was approved that every effort should be made to improve wage standards in industries and occupations in Asian Countries, where they are still low. Thus, the need of a legislation for fixation of minimum wages in India received an impetus after World War II, on account of the necessity of protecting the interest of demobilized personnel seeking employment in industries.
The justification for statutory fixation of minimum wage is obvious. Such provisions which exist in more advanced countries are even necessary in India, where workers’ organizations are yet poorly developed and the workers’ bargaining power is consequently poor.
To provide for machinery for fixing and revision of minimum wages a draft Bill was prepared and discussed at the 7th session of the Indian Labour Conference in November, 1945. Thereupon the Minimum Wages Bill was introduced in the Central Legislative Assembly. The Minimum Wages Bill having been passed by the Legislature received the assent on 15th March, 1948. It came on the Statute Book as the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
The Act provides for fixation by the appropriate Governments of minimum wages for employments covered by Schedule to the Act. The Central Government is the appropriate Government in respect of 45 scheduled employments in the Central Sphere. The minimum wages fixed for Central sphere are applicable to the scheduled employments in the establishments under the authority of Central Government, railway administrations, mines, oil-fields, major ports or any corporation established by a Central Act. Employments other than the scheduled employment for Central Sphere come under the purview of the State Government and accordingly State Government wages are applicable in such employments. The minimum wages for Central Sphere are revised from time to time based on the increase in Consumer Price Index effective from April and October.
According to Section 3(1)(b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, “the appropriate government shall review at such intervals, as it may think fit, such intervals not exceeding five years, the minimum rates of wages so fixed and revise the minimum rates if necessary.
The norms recommended by the Indian Labour Conference, in 1957, fox fixing the minimum wages are: (a) consumption units for one wage earner; (b) minimum food requirements of 2700 calories per average Indian adult; (c) clothing requirements of 72 yards per annum per family; (d) rent corresponding to the minimum area provided for under Government’s Industrial Housing Scheme; and (e) fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute 20% of the total minimum wage.
In 1991, the Hon’ble Supreme Court delivered a historic judgement and directed that children’s education, medical requirement, minimum recreation including festivals/ceremonies, provision for old age, marriage etc. should further constitute 25% of the minimum wage and be used as a guide in fixation of minimum wage.
The Act envisages appointment of an Advisory Board, by the appropriate Government, for the purpose of advising the appropriate Government in the matter of fixing and revising minimum rates of wages.
The Central Government revises the wages in the scheduled employments from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Draft Notifications for all the Scheduled Employments in the Central Sphere were issued on 1st September, 2016 simultaneously, in fact for the first time. The basic rate of minimum wages for an unskilled worker in the scheduled employment other than agriculture has been proposed at Rs.350 in Area ‘C’ from the current minimum wage (basic wage + variable dearness allowance) of Rs.246 resulting in an increase of about 42%. The basic rate of minimum wages for an unskilled worker in the scheduled employment “agriculture” has been proposed at Rs.300 in Area ‘C’ from the current minimum wage (basic wage + variable dearness allowance) of Rs.211 resulting in an increase of about 42%.
The proposed revision in the rates of basic minimum wages would indeed provide much needed solace to the labour fraternity.
Bonus
Bonus payment is an extra payment given for doing one's job well also known as performance-related pay or pay for performance.
The practice of paying bonus in India appears to have originated during First World War when certain textile mills granted 10% of wages as war bonus to their workers in 1917. In certain cases of industrial disputes demand for payment of bonus was also included. In 1950, the Full Bench of the Labour Appellate Tribunal evolved a formula for determination of bonus. A plea was made to raise that formula in 1959. At the second and third meetings of the eighteenth Session of Standing Labour Committee (G.O.I) held in New Delhi in March/ April 1960, it was agreed that a Commission be appointed to go into the question of bonus and evolve suitable norms. A Tripartite Commission was set up by the Government of India to consider in a comprehensive manner, the question of payment of bonus based on profits to employees employed in establishments and to make recommendations to the Government. The Government of India accepted the recommendations of the Commission subject to certain modifications. To implement these recommendations the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 was enacted, which came into force on 25-9-1965.
The objective of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 is to provide for the payment of bonus to the persons employed in certain establishments on the basis of profits or on the basis of production or productivity and for matter connected therewith.
It applies to (i) Every Factory; and (ii) Every other establishment in which 20 or more persons are employed on any day during an accounting year subject to the exemptions under section 32. Every employee shall be entitled to be paid by his employer in an accounting year, bonus, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, provided he has worked in the establishment for not less than thirty working days in that year. While the minimum bonus is 8.33% of the salary or wage earned by the employee during the accounting year, the maximum bonus is 20% of such salary or wage.
Two ceilings are available under the said Act generally known as eligibility limit and calculation ceiling respectively. Clause 13 of Section 2 of Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 defines an employee based on salary or wage per mensem. This is usually taken as the “eligibility limit” for computation of bonus. Similarly, Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 provides for calculation of bonus of an employee based on salary or wage per mensem. This is known as “calculation ceiling”.
The two ceilings are revised from time to time to keep pace with the price rise and increase in the salary structure. At present, the calculation ceiling has been enhanced to Rs.7000 or the minimum wage for the scheduled employment, as fixed by the appropriate Government, whichever is higher and the eligibility limit has been enhanced to Rs.21,000/-.
Due to this revision, additional 55 lakh workers would be benefited. This would indeed, be a good gesture on the part of the Government towards the labour fraternity.