Freezing of DA and DR and other related issues, protest programmes should be organised: Decision of the National Secretariat Meeting of confederation of C G EMPLOYEES held on 28.06.2020

Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers

Ref: CONFD/NS/2020-21

Dated – 29.06.2020

DECISION OF THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING HELD ON 28.06.2020

The National Secretariat Meeting of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers was held on 28.06.2020 through Video Conference. Com. Ravindran B. Nair presided. About 21 office bearers attended. Senior leaders Com. K. K. N. Kutty and M. Krishnan were present.

Before Commencement of the meeting, one minutes silence was observed paying homage to the Jawans who were martyred on the India-China border and also to the departed leaders.

Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, presented a brief report on the agenda items and also about the activities taken place during the period after the Nagpur national Conference. Thereafter the agenda items were taken for discussion. Detailed discussion took place on all agenda items. Many other issues faced by the Central Government Employees, especially COVID-19 related issues, were also discussed.

The following decisions are taken.

1. Review of the 26th National Conference held at Nagpur

The Conference was well organised and the arrangements made were excellent. About 36 affiliates and 13 state level COCs attended. 213 delegates and 13 visitors attended (Male – 238, Female-18). The Conference was jointly inaugurated by Com. Tapan Sen (General Secretary, CITU) and Com. Amarjeet Kaur (General Secretary, AITUC). The National Secretariat congratulated the COC, Vidarbha Region, Nagpur under the leadership of Com. Nilesh D. Nasare, for making best arrangements for the successful conducting of the meeting.

2. Setting up of a committee for finalisation of Accounts for the period from 2016 to 2019.

Secretary General reported that the Accounts for the period from 2016 April to 2019 March could not be presented in the national Conference, as the then Financial Secretary, Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, had not attended the Conference. Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee has emailed the Receipt and Expenditute statements for the period from 2016 to 2019 to the then President. Com. K. K. N. Kutty on 7th February 2020. As it was not signed by the Financial Secretary nor it was audited, the Conference decided to appoint a committee of incoming office bearers and outgoing President and Secretary General. The Conference further decided that after finalisation of the accounts, it should be audited by the internal auditor of Confederation and presented before the National Council for adoption. Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, reported that he had written to Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Ex-Financial Secretary to hand over the accounts alongwith all connected documents to him. But no reply was received. He has also contacted Com Vrigu Bhattacharjee over phone and requested to hand over the accounts. But, Com. Vrigu Bhattachajee was reluctant to hand over the accounts to the newly elected Secretary General. The issue was discussed at length in the National Secretariat and following decisions are taken.

(a) Secretary General, Confederation, shall write another letter to Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Ex-Financial Secretary, to handover the accounts from the period from April 2016 to January 2020 along with all connected records, citing the decision of the national Secretariat held on 28.06.2020.

(b) If Com. Vrigu Bhatacharjee, Ex-Financial Secretary, still refuse to handover the Accounts to the Secretary General, then the Secretary General Shall circulate the skeleton of Accounts sent by Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee to Ex-President on 07.02.2020, which is not signed by the Financial Secretary nor it is audited, to all National Executive Committee members to verify whether there is any discrepancies in the accounts. After getting reply from national Executive Committee members, the accounts will be finalised by a Committee of following office bearers, for presentation in the next National Executive Committee meeting to be convened by Video Conference.

Committee Members
1. Com. Ravindran B. Nair, President, Confederation
2. Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General
3. Com. S. B. Yadav, Financial Secretary
4. Com. K. K. N. Kutty, Vice President & Ex-President
5. Com. M. Krishnan, Vice President & Ex-Secretary General

The National Secretariat decided that after completing the above formalities, the Accounts should be presented before the National Executive Committee meeting by not later than 15.08.2020.

3. Financial review and strengthening of funds position

After detailed discussion it is decided that the Secretary General and Financial Secretary shall issue notice to all affiliates and COCs directing them to remit up to date quota and to clear all arrears of quota and dues within one month. The Financial position will be further reviewed in the next national Executive meeting to be held before 15.08.2020.

4. Freezing of DA and DR and other related issues.

5. Charter of demands of Confederation.

Both the above agenda items were discussed together. It is decided that protest programmes should be organised, exclusively on Central Govt. Employees demands, by Confederation. In the revised Charter of demands adopted by the Nagpur National Conference, the following demands are to be added.

(a) Withdraw the orders, freezing the DA and impounding of arrears of Central Govt. Employees & Pensioners till June 30th 2021.

(b) Stop the unjustified increasing of prices of Petrol and diesel. Reduce the price by reducing the excise duty by Central Government.

(c) Settle all COVID-19 related issues pertaining to the Central Govt. Employees (detailed note will be attached). Treat the period of absence during lockdown as duty. Grant wages to casual, part-time, contingent and contract workers including daily-rated mazdoors, during the lock-down period. (It is reported that in Tamilandu Postal Circle no wages are paid during lockdown period to Casual/Contract workers inspite of Finance Ministry & DOP orders.)

Secretary General and President is authorised to re-draft the Charter of demands and Circulate among all National Secretariat member for approval before publishing in website. The date of the protest programme is to be decided by President and Secretary General, preferably in the 3rd or 4th Week of July 2020. Next phase of programme will be decided by the National Executive Committee meeting to be held before 15.08.2020.

6. Organizational Review

The National Secretariat felt that the disruptive activities initiated by the Ex-Financial Secretary has not affected the overall functioning of Confederation. Efforts are to be made to sort out the issues and to bring back the misguided comrades and to further strengthen the functioning of all affiliated organisations and COCs. It is decided that indiscipline and anti-organisational activities from any corner should not be compromised or tolerated.

7. Date of next National Executive Committee meeting

The meeting authorised President and Secretary General to fix and notify the date of next National Executive meeting by not later than 15.08.2020.

8. Central Trade Unions Programme on 03.07.2020

The meeting decided to organise the protest programme against the anti-people and anti-worker policies of the Central Government at all important Centres on 03.07.2020. The Central TUs has included the DA freeze and impounding of arrears as one of the main demands. All affiliates and COCs are requested to ensure participation of Central Govt. Employees in the joint protest programmes of Central Trade Unions.

9. It is decided to prepare a detailed note on the present situation and the issues faced by the Central Govt. Employees for wide circulation among Central Govt. Employees through Websites and Social media. Com. K. K. N. Kutty, Vice President will prepare the draft.

The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General.

Fraternally yours,

(R. N. Parashar)
Secretary General

Source : Confederation

NFPE                                                                                                 NFPE

ALL INDIA POSTAL CASUAL, PART TIME CONTINGENT AND CONTRACT WORKERS FEDERATION

  Central Head Quarters, NEW DELHI

ADVISOR:  COM. C.C. PILLAI                              PRESIDENT: COM. M. KRISNAN                      

WORKING PRESIDENT: Com. Y.NAGABHUSHANAM      Web site: aipcpccwf.blogspot.in                                                                                                                                                                                               

GENERAL SECRETARY: COM. P. MOHAN                       email: yn.krishna@yahoo.in

No. aipcpccwf/wages/wb/20                                                                                                           DT.28-06-2020

TO

THE CHIEF POST MASTER GENERAL

WEST  BENGAL CIRCLE

KOLKATA

                                                        SUB- Non drawl of wages to casual worker in

                                                          east Kolkata division-reg

Respected sir,

                                          It was brought to our notice that wages were not paid to part timecontingent/DRM  workers in EAST KOLKATA DN. In this connection we submit that already Ministry of finance, Dept.of expenditure issued clear instructions to all Departments not to stop payments to all casual labour. They are working sincerely with dedication to their duties in this dangerous situation keeping away their families and health as Postal Department declared as essential service.

                                           In this connection it is not out of place to mention that in other areas and state governments are paying extra rewards for their dedicated work. But unfortunately only in our Department in some Regions/Divisions this is happening, which is totally unethical and inhuman attitude.

                                          As such we request you to issue clear instructions to pay the wages to casual workers IN EAST KOLKATA DIVISION immediately and prove you are humanitarian in nature.

Expecting an immediate action and a line in reply.

Thanking you, sir.

Yours faithfully,

[P. MOHAN]

GENERAL SECRETARY

COPY TO: CIRCLE SECRETARY,AIPCPCCWF,WB CIRCLE& CS,PIII,WB CIRCLE FOR N/A

Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers endorse the call of Central trade unions and appeal to all Constituent organisations to conduct protest demonstration on 3rd July 2020 at all work places, maintaining all norms of social distancing and others of Covid 19.

05th June, 2020

Central Trade Unions call for 3rd July as Nation Wide Protest Prepare for Countrywide Struggle of Non Cooperation and Defiance

The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) in their meeting on 3rd June 2020 congratulated the workers for responding enthusiastically to the nation-wide protest call demanding immediate halt to changes in labour laws, abrogating the rights won over after a struggle of 150 years among other demands. The meeting took serious note of the continuous aggressive attack on the workers’ rights ignoring all the joint representations to the Government on the matter including the nationwide protest on 22nd May 2020.

The Government not only failed in getting its own orders and advisories implemented in regard to payment of wages to workers, no retrenchments to be carried during lockdown period. Instead, it withdrew its own decision in the face of the case in Supreme Court by the employers of some companies. The Government did not heed to the demand of cash transfer of Rs. 7500/- to all non income tax paying households including unorganised labour (registered or unregistered) for the months of April, May, June, neither the demand for Government support to pay the wages of workers of MSMEs for these three months. The ration to all working people for at least six months to be made available universally also did not find favour with the Government. Neither our demand for workers safe journey home paid attention to.

The Supreme Court had to take cognizance finally asking the Governments of Centre and States not to demand passenger fares from workers, give them proper shelter and food till they are transported to their homes. Nineteen High Courts had taken cognizance of workers, frontline fighters and hospital services etc during this period.

We re-iterate that the Central Government chose the cover of COVID-19 lockdown to push through its agenda of disinvestment and wholesale privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises, 100 percent FDI in core sectors - Indian railways, Defence, Port and Dock, Coal, Air India, Banks, Insurance etc., steps in favour Corporates of Indian & Foreign brands to usurp natural resources and business of the country while mouthing behind the slogan of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat. The earlier decisions and those taken during COVID-19 lockdown on privatization/corporatization/commercialization in Defense, Coal, Space science, Atomic energy, Insurance, Banks and most of the PSUs are being pursued with vigour and arrogance. The decision of DA freeze of 48 lakh Central Government Employees and DR freeze of 68 lakh pensioners, which is also having impact on the state government employees, is not withdrawn despite vehement opposition from Government employees and CTUs.

In this back ground various sections are now in agitation mode. The electricity workers and engineers have jointly observed countrywide protest against Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 on 1st June 2020. While welcoming the sectoral struggles which are developing in various sectors, CTUs support the protest programmes taken up by Defence federations including “strike ballots” and those in the coal mine sector on 10-11 June 2020.

The scheme workers, ASHA, Anganwadi, MDM, 108 ambulance employees, etc and the nurses and doctors who are in the front ranks among the front line warriors working at the community level for combating Covid 19 Pandemic are agitated for their demands for safety measures not being addressed appropriately and neither they are provided proper health care on falling sick from COVID-19 infection, nor the social security and insurance coverage being extended to the families who are succumbing to the disease. The scheme workers are also being denied

payment of honorarium for lockdown period.

ASHAs, anganwadi employees, Doctors, Nurses, Safai Karamcharis, have been in the protests now and then in various parts of the country on similar demands. The CTUs support all these agitations on their just demands.

The so-called 20 lakh crore package of the Government is nothing but a hoax and cruel joke on the suffering people; this mainly comprises of loan guarantee to various sectors and the actual relief package reaching people is not even 1 percent of GDP. Even, previously announced budgetary allocations and welfare schemes such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Construction Workers Welfare Board and District Mineral Funds etc have been unscrupulously repackaged to befool the people.

The workers who have reached back to their villages would need work, so there is dire need of additional amount to cover these workers also along with the existing needs of rural labours. But the sum announced was paltry in face of demand at the ground level. We demand that the coverage of MNREGA must be enhanced sufficiently to meet the demand for livelihood and work for all including the returned migrant workers; similar employment guarantee should also be extended for the urban areas to meet the demand for work and livelihood for all including the most suffering unorganized sector workers; they should also be provided universal social security including health care and food support.

Now with the opening up of some industrial units the complaints are that all workers are not being taken back, only a small percentage is finding their place back in jobs and that also on reduced wages and refusal to pay lockdown period salary. Such denial of employment and pressure for wage-reduction have to be unitedly combated and we also demand upon the governments for immediate corrective interventions in that direction.

The jobless are more than 14 crore and if we add the daily wagers/contract/casual, it is more than 24 crores who are out of livelihood at present. The MSMEs themselves are reporting that 30% to 35% units may not be in position to start their activities. The unemployment rate is already reached 27%. ILO has said in its report that more than 40 crore people would be pushed into deeper poverty. According to eminent scientists & medical experts, India is faced with stark reality, that malnutrition would increase, hunger deaths would become a daily reality, and there is real threat of depression resulting in suicides amongst workers.

Modi Government has most insensitively dealt with the problem of COVID 19 as law & order issue instead of treating it as medical emergency for the human being and society. It has caused immense miseries to millions of workers, farmers and other vulnerable sections of the society. Whereas, Government stood only by Corporates & big businesses.

A Government which has no respect and concern, towards the rights and basic survivalentitlements of workers and the people does not deserve any co-operation. We the workers/employees and trade unions need to do everything possible to be in solidarity with each other, unitedly face the disease taking all precautions necessary, stand with each other to defend our rights of unionization, collective bargaining, decent working condition, wages & future securities etc. This Govt has demonstrated cruel insensitivity of the basic human needs of the workers and people. This cannot be endorsed and cooperated with.

We cannot accept lying down the designs for imposition of slavery on workers through total nullification of all labour laws; nor can we remain onlooker to the Govt project of wholesale privatization of our PSUs through multipronged routes; we cannot silently accept the aggressive structural changes in the agricultural economy in favour of corporate-landlord lobby putting already distressed majority of the agricultural populace in deeper miseries besides endangering food security for the entire people. Trade union movement cannot endorse or cooperate with this process; we have to totally non-cooperate, defy and resist through united struggles such disastrous anti-people, anti-worker and anti-national designs being imposed on the society taking advantage of the lockdown situation in an unscrupulous manner. The Central Government has defied its constitutional obligation.

Hence we the Central Trade Unions, independent Federations and Associations in this background have jointly decided to observe Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020, by the workers and employees of formal & informal sector and service establishments, maintaining physical distancing and other precautions. This programme is in preparation and prelude to further united struggle of prolonged Non-Cooperation and Defiance of the anti-people, anti-national policies of the Govt and in defence of our rights and basic entitlements. Preceding the nationwide protest, to generate awareness about the changes being made in labour laws and other policy issues, the state level joint meeting/seminars/conventions may be held.

We demand upon the Government to immediately hold the long overdue Indian Labour Conference to dwell upon the 12 point Charter of Demands, the labour and trade union rights, issues of job losses, wages, job security, the migrant workers’ issues including their journey to home and return journey to those who desire to join back their work, instead of frequently meeting only the employers and corporates organisations.

We call upon the working class and trade unions of all affiliations to make the programme of Nationwide Protest Day on 3rd July 2020 a massive success throughout the country, in all workplaces and centres in preparation to countrywide united struggles of Non-Cooperation and Defiance to anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-people and anti-national policies of the Govt for at least six-months period to defend the rights of the people and save and defend the national economy. The concrete form of Non Cooperation and Defiance including nationwide general strike will be decided by the joint platform of Central Trade Unions and independent Federations and Associations at appropriate time in the next phase after the observance of the Nationwide Protest Day.

  

And Together with the Federations and Associations of various sectors

NFPE CIRCULAR

                  National Federation of Postal Employees

1^st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001

Phone: 011.23092771                                                   e-mail: nfpehq@gmail.com

Mob: 9718686800/9319917295                      website: http://www.nfpe.blogspot.com

_____________________________________________________________________

 

No.PF-1(e) 2020                                                                               Date: 20^th June-2020

CIRCULAR

To,

            All General Secretaries / NFPE Office bearers

All Circle / Divisional and Branch Secretaries of NFPE Affiliated Unions

Comrades,

NFPE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE MEETING

            NFPE Federal Executive Meeting was held on 19.06.2020 at 11 A.M.  through Video Conferencing

Com. P.V. Rajendran President, , Presided Over the Meeting:

Secretary General, Welcomed all General Secretaries and NFPE Office Bearers and stated about the need of Federal Executive Committee Meeting through Video Conferencing as the physical meeting is not possible  due to Covid-19 Crises. After Federal Council held at Mathura in November -2019 , Federal Executive meeting was notified to be held on 1^st February -2020 but after spread of Corona Virus and due to so many restrictions imposed on travelling and gathering by Government of India , the same was postponed.

Most of the General Secretaries and NFPE Office Bearers participated in meeting. Some could not take part in deliberations due to technology related problems. They were requested to send notes and they have sent notes.

The agenda as mentioned below was read out by Secretary General on direction of President which was approved by the house.

AGENDA

1.    Organizational Review.

2.    Review of situation arisen out of Covid-19

3.    Review of  agitational programmes on 1^st May and 22^nd May -2020 on the call of NFPE and Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers.

4.    Membership Verification.

5.    Any other items with the permission of Chair.

Homage was paid to the Martyrs who scarified their life in saving the mother land after clash with Chines Army. Besides this homage was paid to all Trade Union activists , political and social leaders and common man who expired during this period and who lost their lives due to Covid-19 and other natural calamities e.g. Amphan and Nishang Cyclone. One Minute Silence was observed to pay tributes to all.

Initiating the discussion Secretary General stated that organizationally more problems are being faced. Due to Covid-19 Circes, organizational meetings are not being held. Conferences at all level are not being held due to restrictions on gathering and movement. We have requested administration to extend Trade Union facilities at all level till normalcy is restored. Periodical & JCM meetings are also not being held resultantly the issues are lying unsettled.

Membership Verification was announced to be carried out online, which we have opposed. New enrolment of new membership and modification which takes place every year in the month of April , on our request  the period was extended up to June-30 and will be carried out through Check off system i.e. through submission of letters of authorization.

On unilateral decision of Government to freeze the DA & DR of employees  and pensioners, protest demonstration call was given by Confederation/NFPE and it was observed  throughout the Country

On 22^nd May,  protest demonstration  call was given by Confederation and NFPE  against change of labour laws and other policy offensives being unleshed by the Government of India and it was also observed at all work places throughout the Country maintaining the norms of  NDMA  due to Covid-19 Crisis .

During this period of Crisis due to Covid-19 Crisis Postal/RMS and GDS staff has suffered a lot. After being declared postal services as essential service. Official were put on duty at their risk without providing them adequate security measures and safe transportation facilities. So many Guide lines , advisories and instructions were issued by MHA , Health Ministry, DOPT and Department of Posts. But at lower level officers did not comply with the same and forced the staff to work under risky conditions. The most dangerous work was given i.e. Aadhar enabled Payments Service through IPPB and it caused infection to Postal employees and at some places some employees expired after being infected from Corona Virus. Which is very unfortunate?

All General Secretaries and NFPE Office Bearers deliberated on all the issues and the gist of the discussion on important issues  and decision as under:

1.         Compassionate Appointments should be given to the ward of deceased employees due to Covid-19, immediately relaxing the norms and all pensionery benefits and ex-gratia Rs.10 lakh should be given to the family.

2.         Special Casual Leave should be granted to all the employees who could not join duty under compelling circumstances due to lockdown. Leave period should also be regularized.

3.         Regarding Membership Verification, for regular & GDS employees it should not be done online. It should be through check off system as per provision of CCS (RSA) Rules.

4.         Casual, Part-time, Contingent, Daily rated Mazdoors and out sourced workers should be paid wages for lockdown period.

5.       Road Transport Net Work proposal should be dropped in RMS.

6.    Decentralization of DAP should be dropped.

7.    Roaster should be continued till Covid-19 Crisis is over.

8.    Stop Common Service Centres in Post Offices.

9.   Risk allowance should be granted to Postal and GDS employees temporarily till Covid-19  Crisis.

10.   Aadhar service should not be started and unscientific targets for opening of accounts in IPPB and Aadhar enabled payments service should not be imposed on employees.

11.  One Day Protest Demonstration on 3^rd July-2020

Opposing Change in Labour laws, migrant labourers  issues, against freezing of DA/DR , Scrapping  NPS and restoration  of OPS , should be held at all work places.

Further it was also decided that there are so may other sectional issues. But the Directorate is also not functioning in full fledged manner due to Covid-19 Crisis. After normalcy restores, a detailed memorandum on all issues will be submitted to Secretary Posts for settlement in a time bound manner after convening a meeting with unions failing which serious agitational programmes will be lunched culminating into definite or indefinite strike.

 Again making appeal for holding protest demonstration on 03^rd July-2020 at all work places maintaining the norms of NDMA. We on behalf of NFPE, convey revolutionary greetings to all.

                                                                                 Yours Comradely,

                                                                               

                                                                            (R.N. Parashar)

                                                                         Secretary General

Copy to :

1.         The Secretary, Department of Posts , Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001

2.         The Director General, Department of Posts , Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001

3.         The Member (P), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001

4.         The DDG( SR & Legal), Department of Posts Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001.

5.         The Director (SR & Legal) Department of Posts , Dak Bhawan, New Delhi : for necessary action

  ************************************

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

THE CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS

The following statement was issued by the Central Trade Unions on 19^th June,2020

The Central Trade Unions extend full support to the 3 days Strike of Coal Workers

The Central Trade Unions extend full support to the Strike call given by all Unions and Federations active in the coal industry in all places of activities in the coal sector for three days on 2^nd,3^rd,and 4^th July 2020. The Unions/Federations have served the strike notice on 18^th June 2020. We congratulate them for organizing the protest simultaneously while serving the strike notice on 18^th June to the respective managements.

Their two day protest on 10^th and 11^th June 2020 did not deter the Government to review its decision of commercial mining, privatization and decision to de-link CMPDI from CIL among other demands .Rather Prime Minister himself came forward to launch the process of auction on 18^th June, which was announced on 11^th June, hence the decision of unions to choose this day to protest and give strike notice.

The fact of the matter is that even the earlier auctioned and allotted coal blocks could not be started as per schedule period which need to be cancelled immediately.

The unions have raised five demands in:

1. Withdraw the decision of Commercial Mining in Coal Industry

2. Stop all steps towards weakening or privatization of CIL or SCCL

3. Withdraw decision to De-link CMPDIL from CIL

4. Enforce HPC/CIL enhanced wages to contract workers in CIL and SCCL

5. Implement the clause 9.3.0, 9.4.0 and 9.5.0 of National Coal Wage Agreement

The Coal unions and the CTUs have been opposing the Government policy of 100 percent FDI in Coal sector. We call upon all our respective state chapters to extend their solidarity support to this agitation to defend this core public sector in the national interest and for our nation’s self reliance in this sector.

                             

        INTUC     AITUC                    HMS                     CITU          AIUTUC

                  TUCC           SEWA          AICCTU           LPF            UTUC

We as Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers extend solidarity with Coal workers and their strike against privatisation of Coal Industry.

                                    R N PARASHAR

                             SECRETARY GENERAL

                       CONFEDERATION OF CGE&W