NFPE CALLS UPON POSTAL EMPLOYEES TO MAKE 2019 JANUARY 8th & 9th TWO DAYS STRIKE - A GRAND SUCCESS
THE
FOLLOWING IS THE EDITORIAL PUBLISHED IN 'POSTAL CRUSADER' THE OFFICIAL
ORGAN OF NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES (NFPE)
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 9thJanuary 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.
Source: Confederation
