EDITORIAL
– POSTAL CRUSADER NOVEMBER 2018
IMPORTANCE OF JANUARY 2019 TWO DAYS
STRIKE
National
Convention of Workers organized by Central Trade Unions (except BMS),
independent Federations and Associations viz; Central Government and State
Govt. Employees, Banks, Insurance, Defence production employees etc, held at
Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 28th September 2018, has decided to
conduct two days nationwide strike on 8th& 9th
January 2019. Earlier, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers,
in its National Convention held at Hyderabad on 10th June 2018, has
decided to go for one day’s nationwide strike on 15th November 2018,
demanding settlement of 10 points Charter of demands of Central Govt.
Employees, Pensioners, Gramin DakSevaks and casual/contract workers. In the
changed circumstances, Confederation has decided to postpone the 15th
November 2018 one day strike and to join the two days strike on 8th
and 9th January 2019 announced by the National Convention of
Workers. There is no change in the 10 points charter of demands of
Confederation adopted in the Hyderabad National Convention.
The
declaration adopted in the National Convention of Workers held on 28th
September 2018 has stated as follows:
“Government
is dragging its feet on wage negotiations of public sector in bipartite
settlement and 7th Central Pay Commission anomalies of Central
Government employees. Four sub committees were formed by the Government to
address several issues raised by Central Government employees (NJCA) such as
scrapping of New Pension Scheme (NPS) review of Minimum wage and fitment
formula, restoration of allowances and allowing option-I as one of the pension
benefit formula. But nothing has been done.
The Central Government Employees organisations including the
Defence and Railways have been planning united action against the betrayal of
the Government and asserting their genuine demands including scrapping of New
Pension Scheme. This National Convention extends full support to their struggle
and upholds all their demands.”
Thus,
the entire Trade unions (other than BMS) has taken serious view of the negative
attitude of the Central Government towards the demands of Central Government
employees and Pensioners and extended full solidarity and support to our
struggle.
Unrest
among the New Pension Scheme (NPS) employees is rising day by day. Those NPS
employees who retired from service, in 2015 to 2018, after completing ten years’
service are getting a paltry sum of Rs.1000 to 3000 only as monthly annuity
pension. How can a pensioner and his family live with such a megre amount as
pension. This is equal to “No Pension”, Under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) an
employee who completed minimum ten yearsservice is eligible for 50% of last pay
drawn as minimum pension.
Regarding
increase in Minimum Pay and Fitment formula, the assurance was given to the
NJCA leaders by none other than the Hon’bleHome Minister and Finance Minister
on 30.06.2016. Two years are over but nothing happened. Government has replied
in Parliament that, at present, there is no proposal for increasing Minimum Pay
and Fitment formula. Thus the entire Central Govt. Employees are betrayed.
Regarding Pensioners, the one and the only favourable recommendation of the 7th
CPC i.e. Option-I, stands rejected by Government.
Three
lakhs GraminDakSevaks of the Postal department conducted a heroic strike for
sixteen days and finally Govt. was compelled to accept their demands.But while
issuing orders, eventhough new pay scale recommended by the Kamalesh Chandra
Committee is implemented, regarding arrears the Committee’s recommendation was
rejected and modified by Govt. Some important recommendations like Children
Education Allowance, Time bound three financial upgradations etc. are still
pending. Regarding revision of wages of Casual Labourers, orders issued by
Postal Directorate is yet to be implemented in some Circles and Divisions and
their demand for regularisation is not considered favourably by Govt.
The
situation in the country is deteriorating day by day. National economy
including value of Indian currency, suffered serious setback due to
pro-corporate, anti-labour and anti-people neo-liberal policies pursued by the
Central Government, grievously impacting the livelihood of the working people
and farmers.
The
situation due to steep rise in petrol and diesel prices with cascading effect
on increase in prices of all daily life utility items, especially food items,
is resulting in torturous impact on common masses. The unemployment situation
is getting aggravated with employment generation practically turned negative
even in most labour-oriented sectors. The agricultural sector and farmers are
in deep distress. The after-effects of demonitisation and faulty GST Continue
to adversely impacting the deep crisis set in the fast-paced neo-liberal
economic policies of the Government. Lack of job opportunities on the one hand
and continued job losses, retrenchments, illegal closures on the other hand are
imposing miserable condition on the ordinary families for their food, education
of children and medical care of the sick and elderly, Aggressive move to sell
the shares of the Public Sector undertakings and onslaught of privatization
through various routes like outsourcing, PPP etc. is going on in full swing. The
demand for universal social security with guaranteed pension has fallen on deaf
ears.
Central
Govt. not only refused to respond to the just and genuine demands of the
organized agitation of working class, but has been continuing its aggression
against the hard-won labourrights of the workers, employees and Trade Unions.
It is in this background the entire working class of our country has decided to
fight back the onslaught of the Govt. against the working class and peasants.
National
Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) has been in the forefront of the struggle
against the neo-liberal policies of the Govt. especially against the negative
attitude of the Govt. towards the Central Govt. Employees demands including
Postal employees.
On
January 8th& 9th, about 18 to 20 crores organized and
unorganized workers will go on two days strike. NFPE HQ calls upon the entirety
of Postal and RMS employees including GraminDakSevaks and Casual, Part-time,
Contingent employees to join the strike en-mass. It is a struggle for our
survival.
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