Sunday 30 September 2018

Nationwide General Strike on 8th & 9th January 2019

Nationwide General Strike on 8th & 9th January 2019

Press Release
28/09/2018
Central Trade Unions call for Nationwide General Strike on 8th and 9th January 2019
National Convention of Workers decides to go for Nationwide General Strike on 8-9 January 2019 against the anti-people, anti-worker, anti-national policies of the BJP-led NDA Government.
The National Convention of Workers held today, the 28th September 2018, in Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi, decided to go for two days’ Nationwide General Strike on 8-9 January 2019 against the anti-people, anti-worker, anti-national policies of the BJP-led NDA Government.
The convention was jointly called by the ten Central Trade Unions (INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, SEWA, LPF, UTUC), in association with all independent National Federations of Workers and Employees, of both Industrial and Service sectors, Central Government and State Government employees, including Railways, Defense, Health, Education, Water, Post, Scheme Workers etc; in the public sector undertaking such as Banks, Insurance, Telecom, Oil, Coal, Public Transport etc, Factories, and from the unorganised sectors-Construction, Beedi, Street vendors, Domestic Workers, Migrant Workers, Scheme workers, Home based workers, rickshaw, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, agricultural workers etc., expresses serious concern over the deteriorating situation in the national economy due to the pro- corporate, anti-national and anti-people policies pursued by the Central Government and some of the States ruled by the BJP, grievously impacting the livelihood of the working people across the country.
The Presidium of the Convention consisted of Ashok Singh, Ramendra Kumar, S. N. Pathak, K. Hemlata, R. K. Sharma, Probir Banerjee, Lata, Santosh Rai and Shatrujeet Singh.
Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy (INTUC), Amarjeet Kaur (AITUC), Harbhajan Singh Sidhu (HMS), Tapan Sen (CITU), Satyavan (AIUTUC), G.R.Shivshankar (TUCC), Manali Shah (SEWA), Rajeev Dimri (AICCTU), Sanmugham (LPF), Ashok Ghosh (UTUC) addressed the Convention. Shivgopal Mishra( AIFR) and Guman Singh (NFIR) also addressed the convention.
The Convention noted with utter dismay that the Government has been continuing to arrogantly ignore the 12 point Charter of Demands on minimum wage, universal social security, workers’ status and including pay and facilities for the scheme workers, against privatization of public and government sector including financial sectors and mass scale contractorisation, ratification of ILO Convention 87, 98 etc. being jointly pursued by the entire trade union movement of the country. The ILO Convention 177 on Home Work and 189 on Domestic Work are also yet not ratified.
The Convention expressed its grave concern on scraping of hard-won 44 Central Labour Laws and replacing them with 4 employer-friendly Labour Codes and introduction of Fixed Term Employment through executive order. The Convention also expressed its anguish over New Pension Scheme and demand restoration of the old Pension Scheme. The Convention expresses solidarity with the fighting farmers and the Transport Workers of Rajasthan who are on an indefinite strike since 16th September, 2018.
This National Convention of Workers recorded its strong denunciation against the communal and divisive machinations on the society being carried on with the active patronage of the Government machinery. The BJP Governments are using draconian UAPA, NSA as well as the agencies of CBI, NIA, IT to harass and suppress any dissenting opinions.  The peace loving secular people in the country are facing a stark situation of terror and insecurity all around. Working Class will raise its strong voice of protest.
In order to serve the interests of the multinational companies with Indian corporate, the present Government is pursuing blatantly anti-people, anti-workers and anti-national policies at the cost of severely damaging the national economy and destroying its indigenous productive and manufacturing capabilities. Such a regime must be defeated squarely to force the pro-people changes in policies on all fronts. This united platform of the working class resolves to heighten its struggle to that end.
The National Convention of workers adopted the following programmes:
1.State level, district level and industry/sector level joint conventions  to be held during October/November 2018
2.Joint Industry-level gate meetings, rallies etc. during November and December,2018
3.Submission of strike notice jointly with demonstrations during 17-22 December, 2018
4.Two days countrywide General Strike on 8th and 9th January 2019.
The National Convention called upon working people across the sectors and throughout the country irrespective of affiliations, independent unions, federations, associations to make the above programmes a total success.
(Declaration attached)
Issued by
A R Sindhu
Secretary,CITU

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World Heart Day: Indian Diet Chart For Heart Patients

World Heart Day: Indian Diet Chart For Heart Patients

World Heart Day: Indian Diet Chart For Heart Patients

Diet plays a key role in maintaining your overall health. A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, fiber, and fats can help you keep your heart healthy. If you have already suffered a heart attack or have undergone a heart surgery, it goes without saying that strict diet control is needed. So to help you eat healthily and wisely this World Heart day, we have asked the Mumbai based nutritionist Pritisha Jadhav, Indian Dietary Association (IDA), for a diet plan for heart patients. Before we give a sample Indian diet chart for heart patients, here are heart-healthy diet tips to follow.

1. Incorporate more of fiber in your diet. Include foods such as whole wheat grains or cereals, peas, pulses, fruits such as oranges, pears, melons and vegetables such as carrots and broccoli. There is more fiber in a single fruit than a glass of fruit juice which is made using 3 – 4 whole fruits.

2. Limit fruits especially if you are diabetic. Choose whole fruits and vegetables to up your intake of fiber and other nutrients. But, fruit should be limited, especially for people who are diabetic and have a history of cardiac problems. Incorporate berries, oranges, sweet limes, apple and pear which contain less sugar and more fiber.

3. Salads are a must in every meal. Vegetables are a great source of nutrients and including raw vegetables in the form of salad is a healthy idea. One big bowl of salad that contains vegetables and sprouts is mandatory for a complete meal. Sprouts are rich in proteins and fiber so two servings per day is a must.

4. Add fenugreek (methi) seeds to your food. It is a rich source of soluble fiber and contains active compounds which reduce cholesterol and are good for the heart. Moreover, if you suffer from diabetes along with heart problems, incorporating methi in the form of laddoo or raw seeds in curries, dal or curd can keep the heart healthy.

5. Restrict intake of salt. For healthy individuals, the daily recommended dose of salt is 5-6 g per day. But if you have a history of heart disease or have undergone heart surgery, then the daily intake of salt should not exceed 2 g, which is about half a teaspoon.

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6. Choose cooking oils wisely. Opt for the ones that contain high amounts of essential fatty acids such as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Most of the oils available in the market such as groundnut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, mustard oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil, etc. are good for the heart. However, instead of using one type of cooking oil, use different oils every month for added benefits.

7. Keep a tab on the amount of cooking oil. Whichever cooking oil you are using, it is important to keep a tab on the amount. Ensure that it should not be more than 15 ml per day, which is about three teaspoons of oil. You can also incorporate ghee along with cooking oils but make sure it should not exceed the daily limit of 15 ml. For example, instead of three teaspoons of oil, you can include one teaspoon of ghee and two teaspoons of oil per day.

8. Follow portion control. Whatever you eat spread it across the entire day and eat in limited amounts. Eating three full course meals can add pressure on the stomach and other organs of the body including the heart. It is wise to have six small meals per day or have two meals with breaks such as breakfast, mid-morning snack, mid-afternoon snack, and evening snack. Moreover, dinner should be light and easy-to-digest food. Avoid heavy foods and gas-forming foods such as beans, cauliflower, etc at dinner time.

9. Nuts are good for the heart. They are the best and rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is an essential fatty acid that plays a key role in maintaining your heart health. It helps to maintain blood pressure, lower triglyceride level, reduce cholesterol, lower the risk of inflammation and prevent heart disease. Almonds are rich in MUFA and walnuts in PUFA, both of which are good for the heart.

10. Snack wisely. Include light foods such as boiled corn, puffed rice (kurmura) or bhel, sprouts chaat, vegetable chaat or boiled corn chaat. Packaged foods are a strict no-no for heart patients. Freshly cooked homemade food is your best bet. Fruits should be eaten as a mid-morning snack. Avoid fruits after lunch and dinner.

Here Are Best Ayurveda Supplements For A Healthy Heart.

Here is a sample diet chart* for a person who has a heart disease and/ or has undergone heart surgery and weighs around 60 kgs. You can follow this chart if you have a moderately active life. 

Morning (on an empty stomach): Have 5-6 almonds and 4-5 walnuts with a glass of warm water.

Breakfast: A bowl (30 g) of any Indian traditional homemade breakfast such as upma, poha, idli, boiled moong, dosa, dhokla, khandvi, thepla, paratha, etc. Cook it with very little oil and supplement it with a glass of milk or curd, or any protein-rich food like egg whites in the form of a boiled egg or an omelet (max 2 egg whites).

Mid-morning: Have 100 g of any seasonal fruit. If you are a diabetic, then avoid or limit fruits such as bananas, mangoes, chickoos, grapes, and custard apples.

Lunch: It should comprise of 2 rotis (without oil/ghee) or 3 phulkas or 1 medium bowl of rice. It should also include a big plate of salad, 1 cup of vegetable curry, 1 medium bowl of curd and 1 medium bowl of dal. If you are non-vegetarian, dal can be replaced with chicken (curry, grilled or roasted but not fried) or fish such as mackerel (curry but not fried). If you have to follow a fluid restricted diet, then eating curd is better than drinking buttermilk or chaas.

Evening: Drink a cup of green tea/coffee with a small bowl (50 g) of kurmura/bhel/chaat/khakra.

Late evening: Have a bowl of soup or a fruit. If you are a diabetic, soup is a better option.

Dinner: Have 2 multigrain rotis or 2 jowar/bajra bhakris or a bowl of khichdi or kadi rice. A bowl of vegetable curry, a plate of salad, and a bowl of dal or curd.

Bedtime: 1 cup of turmeric milk (haldi doodh) or turmeric latte, which is nothing but a glass of warm milk with a pinch of turmeric and dry ginger powder.

**Consult India’s best doctors here**

*The diet chart might vary based on the severity of your condition and other health risks such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disease. Hence, it is advised to talk to your dietician to get a customized diet plan based on your diet pattern, heath condition, and risk factors.

(The article is reviewed by Dr. Lalit Kanodia, General Physician)

The post World Heart Day: Indian Diet Chart For Heart Patients appeared first on 1mg Capsules.
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Welcome to Salemphex-2018 @ Salem, Western Region, Tamilnadu

Welcome to Salemphex-2018 @ Salem, Western Region, Tamilnadu




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Saturday 29 September 2018

Creation of a new entity “National Water Commission”

Creation of a new entity “National Water Commission”

File No.A-11013/3/2018-E-1 Section
No.11013/3/2018-E-I Section
Government of India
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg.
New Delhi dated 20th July, 2018
To
The Secretary,
Central Water Commission,
Sawa Bhawan, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110086
Subject: Engagement of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad as Consultant of this Ministry for merger of some organisations of this Ministry with Central Water Commission for creation of a new entity “National Water Commission” – regarding.
Sir,
I am directed to say that it has been decided with the approval of the Secretary and  concurrence of the IFD of this Ministry to engage Indian Institute of Management. Ahmadabad as Consultant of this Ministry for conducting Study on merger of some organisations of this Ministry with the CWC, for creation of a new entity i.e. ‘National Water Commission”, at the cost to Rs. 15,00,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Lakhs) +applicable GST to be paid to the IIM, Ahmadabad. The expenditure is to be incurred from an appropriate Head of Account or CWC.
2. Administrative Approval are Expenditure Sanction is hereby conveyed for release of 40% of !its, sanctioned amount i.e. Rs. 6,00,000/- (Rupees Six Lakhs) + applicable GST to IIM, Ahmadabad as an advance. The remaining 60% of the amount ie. Rs,9,00,000 (Rupees Nine Lakhs) + applicable GST shall be released after the final report on the study is submitted by the IIM, Ahmadabad.
3. CWC is requested to release the amount from their budgetary head where sufficient funds are available
4. The sanction shall be subject to the following terms and conditions
I. The test presentation on the study will be submitted by IIM Ahmadabad after 3 weeks from the date of receipt of the advance amount and final presentation shall be made after 2 weeks after the first presentation.
II. The provisions of GM 2017 and Government of India’s directions from time to time shall be adhered to.
III.The reimbursement of GST should be based on production of proof of payment by IIM, Ahmadabad
Yours faithfully,
(Shalini Juneja)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 2371 4350
Email: use1-mowr@nic.in
Source : Confederation
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Friday 28 September 2018

AICPIN for August 2018 – DA from January 2019

AICPIN for August 2018 – DA from January 2019

Though the AICPIN for August 2018 Remained stationary at 301,the Possibility also remains for DA to increase by 4% from January 2019. Monthly 2 Points increase for remaining four month will take the DA up to 13% from January 2019
No.5/1/2018-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU
‘CLEREMONT’ SHIMLA-171004
DATED: 28th September 2018
Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – August 2018

The All India CPI-IW for August 2018 remained stationary at 301(Three hundred one). On 1 month percentage change, it remained static between July,2018 and August 2018 and it was also static between the corresponding months of previous year.
The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Miscellaneous and Food groups contributing (+)0.25 and (+)0.07 percentage points respectively to the total change. At item level , Rice, Wheat, Atta , Groundnut Oil, Brinjal, Cabbage, Carrot, parvel, Mango (Ripe), Sugar, Cooking Gas, Petrol, Ornaments Glass, etc are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Fish Fresh, Poultry (Chicken), Eggs (Hen), Onion, French Beans, Methi, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Apple, Gauva etc, putting downward pressure on the index.
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Transfers / postings of officers of Postal Service Group 'B' cadre - DOP Order

Transfers / postings of officers of Postal Service Group 'B' cadre - DOP Order


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Customer channels at India Post Payments Bank

Customer channels at India Post Payments Bank

Customer channels at India Post Payments Bank
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CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 - Section II of the Part "A" of the First Schedule thereto- entry pay for direct recruits appointed on or after 01.01.2006 and Pay Fixation in the case of persons other than such recruits

CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 - Section II of the Part "A" of the First Schedule thereto- entry pay for direct recruits appointed on or after 01.01.2006 and Pay Fixation in the case of persons other than such recruits





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Reservation in Promotion Supreme Court Judgement 26.9.2018

Reservation in Promotion Supreme Court Judgement 26.9.2018

An Important Judgement Pronounced by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of Reservation in Promotion on 26-9-2018. After this Judgement, Regional News Channels Flashed a news that ‘No Reservation in Promotion’ and some said, ‘States are not bound to give reservation in Promotion’.
But national Media claimed that ‘Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgement has paved the way for Reservation in Promotion ‘and some news report said “SC/ST will get Reservation in Promotions”
Today News channels reported that Hon’ble Supreme Court Decision to extend Creamy layer principle to SC/ST is over shadowed the quota system in Promotion in Government Jobs.
Which news headline is correct…?
If you go through the Judgement, you will be hesitating to say which news headlines are not correct?
All observations seem to be correct. Because there are three important decisions are made by the Five Judge Bench in the matter of reservation in Promotion . The following is the key parts of this Judgement
1. State is not bound to make reservation for SC/STs in matter of Promotion.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court held that the Judgement in Nagraj Case does not need to be referred to a seven Judge Bench. This Indicates that State is not bound to make reservation for SC/STs in matter of Promotion.
2. States need not collect quantifiable data on the backwardness of SCs and STs for giving quota in promotions
The Judgement in Nagraj Case stated that If the State wish to exercise their discretion to make reservation for SC/STs in Promotion, the state has to collect quantifiable data showing backwardness of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Now Hon’ble Supreme court held that this condition is contrary to the nine-Judge Bench in Indra Sawhney (1) (supra) is held to be invalid to this extent”
3. The Creamy Layer Principle to be extended to SC/ST also
In the matter of Applying Creamy Layer Principle in reservation, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has made the following observation.
“Constitutional Courts, when applying the principle of reservation, will be well within their jurisdiction to exclude the creamy layer from such groups or sub-groups when applying the principles of equality under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India”
“The whole object of reservation is to see that backward classes of citizens move forward so that they may march hand in hand with other citizens of India on an equal basis. This will not be possible if only the creamy layer within that class bag all the coveted jobs in the public sector and perpetuate themselves, leaving the rest of the class as backward as they always were. This being the case, it is clear that when a Court applies the creamy layer principle to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it does not in any manner tinker with the Presidential List under Articles 341 or 342 of the Constitution of India.”
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A set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps on "Geographical Indication (GI) Registered Handloom Products" has been released on 07.08.2018

A set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps on "Geographical Indication (GI) Registered Handloom Products" has been released on 07.08.2018








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A Commemorative Postage Stamp on "National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme" has been released on 28.07.2018

A Commemorative Postage Stamp on "National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme" has been released on 28.07.2018



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A Commemorative Postage Stamp on Patna University has been released on 25.08.2018

A Commemorative Postage Stamp on Patna University has been released on 25.08.2018




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MEETING TO BE HELD ON 01-10-2018 UNDER CHAIRMANSHIP OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (SR & LEGAL) AT 03-30 P.M

MEETING TO BE HELD ON 01-10-2018 UNDER CHAIRMANSHIP OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (SR & LEGAL) AT 03-30 P.M

MEETING TO BE HELD ON 01-10-2018 UNDER CHAIRMANSHIP OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (SR & LEGAL) AT 03-30 P.M. DISCUSS VARIOUS ISSUES RELATES TO GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS UNIONS ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF KAMLESH CHANDRA COMMITTEE REPORT 
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Payment of Dearness Allowances to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) effective from 01.07.2018

Payment of Dearness Allowances to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) effective from 01.07.2018

Payment of Dearness Allowances to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) effective from 01.07.2018


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Thursday 27 September 2018

DRAFT DECLARATION TO BE PRESENTED IN THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS TO BE HELD AT NEW DELHI ON 28th SEPTEMBER 2018

DRAFT DECLARATION TO BE PRESENTED IN THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS TO BE HELD AT NEW DELHI ON 28th SEPTEMBER 2018

TWO DAYS NATION WIDE STRIKE ON 8th & 9th JANUARY 2019

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS
28th September 2018, Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi

Draft Declaration
The Central Trade Unions, independent federations and associations carried forward the decisions adopted in the National Convention of Workers on 8 th August 2017 at Talkatora Stadium. The successful holding of three day mahapadav on 9 th-10th-11th Nov., 2017 after about more than three months extensive countrywide campaign was a land mark in the ongoing struggle to fight back the onslaught of the government against working people and their trade unions, against hard won labour rights, anti-labour and pro-employer codifications and violations of existing labour laws and violation of ILO Conventions. We had demanded concrete measures for curbing rising prices of essential commodities, creation of new Decent jobs, minimum wages Rs.18000/- p.m. and minimum Rs.6000/- p.m. pension to all, stoppage of all moves to sell PSU shares and outright privatization through various routes like outsourcing, PPP etc, universal social security coverage to all among other demands. This Mahapadav was followed by the Nationwide strike by Scheme Workers on 17th January 2018 and then Satyagraha and protests in almost all the states on varying dates, beginning from 23rd January to 23rd February 2018.

The Central Government not only refused to respond to the just and genuine demands of the organized agitation of the working class, but has been increasing its aggression against the rights of workers, employees and trade unions. The Bipartism and tripartism is being undermined. The Govt. is dragging its feet on wage negotiations of public sector in Bipartite settlements and 7 th Pay Commission anomalies of Central Government employees. Four Sub Committees were formed by the Government to address several issues raised by Central Government employees (NCJCA) such as scraping of New Pension scheme, review the Minimum Wage and fitment formula, restoration of allowances and allowing option No.I as one of the Pension Fitment Formula. But nothing has been done.

The Central Government Employees’ Organizations, including the defence and railways, have been planning united action against the betrayal by the Government and asserting their genuine demands including scrapping of the New Pension Scheme. This National Convention extends full support to their struggles and upholds all their demands.

The last Indian Labour Conference was held in July 2015 and since then no ILC has been held, rather the circulated dates for ILC were cancelled. There has been no dialogue by the Government or its Group of Ministers with the trade unions.

The National Convention of Workers being held today, the 28th September 2018, in Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi jointly called by the ten Central Trade Unions, in association with all independent National Federations of Workers and Employees, of both Industrial and Service sectors viz., Banks, Insurance, Central Government and State Government employees, Defence Production employees etc., expresses serious concern over the deteriorating situation in the national economy due to the pro- corporate, anti-national and anti-people policies pursued by the Central Government, grievously impacting the livelihood of the working people across the country.

This National Convention unanimously condemns in strongest terms the conspiratorial and authoritarian attack of the present Government to deprive the biggest Central Trade Union in the country, the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) from all representations in the tripartite and bipartite fora and committees, including the international forum. This is nothing but a severe and heinous onslaught on the rights of the entire trade union movement. It will be unitedly fought back and this National Convention pledges for that.

The Convention notes with utter dismay that the Government has been continuing to arrogantly ignore the 12 point Charter of Demands on minimum wage, universal social security, workers’ status and including pay and facilities for the scheme workers, against privatization of public and government sector including financial sectors and mass scale contractorisation, ratification of ILO Convention 87 and 98 etc. being jointly pursued by the entire trade union movement of the country. Despite numerous nationwide joint strike actions, the most prominent being those of 2nd September 2015 and 2nd September 2016, participated by crores of workers against the policies of the Governments, the ruling regime at the centre has been increasing its onslaught on the rights and livelihood of the working people of the country. Both the organized as well as unorganized sectors are victims alike.

Unemployment situation is getting aggravated with employment generation practically turned negative even in the most labour intensive sectors. The phenomenon of closure and shut-down of industries and the forecast of huge job-loss in the IT sector is adding fuel to the fire. Price-rise of petroleum products, essential commodities including public transport, electricity, medicines etc is mounting pressure on daily life of the people in general, leading to widening as well as deepening of impoverishment. Hasty implementation of GST has further compounded the hardships. Even essential and lifesaving medicines have been subjected to hefty GST. Drastic cut in Government expenditure in social sector and various welfare schemes has made the condition of workers, particularly those in unorganized sector more precarious. For the establishment of modern labour slavery system, it has introduced Fixed Term Employment through backdoor, has permitted putting children below 14 years age to work in a family establishment, has brought in pro-employer changes in Apprenticeship Act.

The situation due to steep price-rise in petrol and diesel with cascading effect on increase in prices of all daily life utility items and specially the food items is resulting in torturous impact on common masses. The after effects of demonetisation and faulty GST continue to adversely impacting the deep crises set in the fast paced neo-liberal economic policies of the Government. Lack of job opportunities on one hand and continued job losses, retrenchments, illegal closures on the other hand, are imposing miserable conditions on the ordinary families for their food, education of children, medical care of the sick and elderly. No new jobs are being created since the last five years or so despite heavy increase in work load in general including in the Government and Public Sector Undertakings. On the contrary, 3% compulsory annual surrender of regular posts in Government establishments is continuing. In this Government regime recruitment exam scams like SSB and other competitive exams have rubbed salt on the wounds of the educated unemployed. In private sector also, massive downsizing has become a regular phenomenon.

The estimates by independent surveys and those sponsored by employers’ organizations revealed loss of 70 lakh jobs with closure of 2.34 lakh small factory units in the first few months of demonetization. The livelihood-loss of another 6 crore people in informal economy and about 17 lakh job losses in organized sector speaks about the grim ground reality. Faced with such pathetic records, the Government is busy in concoction of statistics with twists to make fraudulent claims on employment generation. Regular Employment Survey which was conducted by Labour Ministry has been discontinued.

The anti-labour authoritarian character of the Government is all the more evident in their refusal to implement even the consensus recommendations (in which the Government was also a party) of the successive Indian Labour Conferences (ILC) in respect of equal pay and benefits for equal work for the contract workers, formulation of minimum wage on the norms agreed by 15th ILC/Supreme Court Judgment and workers’ status for the scheme workers viz., Anganwadi, Mid-Day-Meal, ASHA, MGNREGA and Domestic workers etc. Shockingly, the present Government is even refusing to implement the recent Judgments of the Supreme Court of the country on the most genuine issue of “equal wage and benefits for equal work” and on EPS, 1995 on contribution and calculation of pension on actual pay and dearness allowance.

In the vast construction sector, which has a huge unorganized workforce, the Government is not taking proper action on the ruling of the Supreme Court regarding construction workers cess fund and its utilization in the interest of the construction workers and benefits and ignoring the Central and State Trade Unions in the decision making mechanism.

Despite opposition of all the trade unions in the country irrespective of affiliations, the Government has been aggressively pushing through its programme of pro-employer and utterly anti-worker labour law reforms. Government has decided to amalgamate 44 hard earned Central Labour Laws to enact 4 anti-worker, pro-employer Labour Codes to facilitate the employers to hire and fire in the name of ‘Ease of doing Business’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Start Up’ etc. which is aimed at imposing the conditions of slavery on the working people. The latest onslaught is the move to evolve a ’Social Security Code’ by dismantling and demolishing the existing statutory Social Security infrastructure under Employees Provident Fund Organization, Coal Mines Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance Corporation and many other welfare statutes, abolition of welfare related cess, and usurp the huge social security fund contributed to by the workers, amounting to more than Rs.24 lakh crore and make it available for speculation in share market under the most deceptive and fraudulent camouflage of ‘universalisation of social security’. The proposed code on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) is very dangerous move on the Occupational Safety and Health including the welfare of the factory and service sector working class.

The fixed term employment adopted as a Government policy through adoption of finance bill would be death knell for job security. The latest attack has come on the Trade Union Act 1926, where the Govt. intends to change the definition of the Central level and state level trade unions by invoking proposed amendments in Section 28A and 29. The malafide intention is also to have Government interference in the functioning of trade unions and usurping rights to dictate on its whims in the internal matters of unions. It is all done to facilitate “hire and fire” under different names i.e. “Ease of Doing Business”, “Start Up” etc. It seems like a move to derecognize the status of Central and State level pro-worker trade unions. The Labour Ministry, in the name of tri-partite consultation on Labour Law Amendments, is only putting up a show and to create a record of consultation, which the Central Trade Unions have consistently boycotted.

Privatization of all strategic PSUs, including Defence Production, Public Sector Banks and Insurance and also Railways, public road transport, oil, power, steel, coal etc through disinvestment, strategic sale, outsourcing in favour of private sector, promoting 100 per cent FDI in many vital and strategic sectors are increasing day by day. Moreover stripping all the cash rich PSUs of the investible cash reserves are added assaults. In fact Defence Sector privatization move is actually designed to destroy manufacturing capability and Research initiatives developed by the country over last six and half decades. The worst and most dubious is the game plan to outsource more than 50 per cent products including weapons and critical equipments, so long being produced by the Ordinance establishments. More than 250 items manufactured by Ordnance Factories have been notified as non-core. Orders are placed to private players for supply of some of these items. Government is determined to close down 5 Ordnance Factories manufacturing items used by our soldiers and Officers and it would render thousands of workers jobless, including 1600 female Tailors. Defence PSUs and Shipyards are also being subjected to discrimination in respect of work orders while private corporates are being patronized by the Government in defence procurement deals.

Complete privatization of the Railways, step by step, is going on. Operating private trains on the existing tracks built by Railways is being permitted. Moreover free access to railway yards, sheds and workshops for maintenance of private coaches, wagons and engines etc. is being offered to private operators. Already 23 railway stations, all in metro cities, have been shortlisted for privatisation. More than 600 Railway Stations along with land around them have been identified for development through private players in the name of “redevelopment of Railway Stations and land around them”. It was part of Budget speech of the Finance Minister. Workers not only in Railways but in all Government and Public Sector Undertakings shall be worst victims of privatization in terms of job security, democratic trade union rights and protection of achievements in the areas of pay, perks, social security etc. Like Central Electricity Regulatory Authority (CERC), a Railway Development Authority (RDA) has been created. Given the skyrocketing increase in electricity tariff by CERC, under RDA, railway fare and goods freight is poised to be hiked, hurting the common people and benefiting the private profiteers.

The exposures of various corruptions by the BJP led NDA Govt. in the centre shows the real face of the ruling clique and Rafael deal is biggest scam yet being unearthed step by step.

Public Sector Banks are under attack through various legislative and executive measures. The ultimate target of the Government is privatization and to extend undue favour to the same private corporate crooks, whose default of paying back the loan has put the banking sector in severe difficulties. Instead of addressing the problems of NPA and fixing the corporate defaulters, the Government is going ahead with its scheme of merger of banks, which in reality leads to closure of numerous branches, resulting in job-losses and narrowing of the outreach of the PSU Banks. NPAs have crossed Rs. 13 lakh crores. After Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya, now Neerav Modi and Mehul Choksy have also dodged the Indian system and run away with the loot of Indian people’s money. The Government brought FRDI Bill which was opposed tooth and nail by the unions forcing Government to withdraw it. But now the Government has come out with Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which is aimed to facilitate the corporate defaulters to go away with major part of the debt default under the camouflage of so-called “resolution process of insolvency”. Banks will get back hardly 30 per cent of their due loan amount. This is another big scam in the making which would further damage the crises ridden economy.

The retrenchment of contractual employees has been resorted to already in some banks and telecom sector. Insurance sector is also under such attack. Legislative measures to pave the way of privatization of our major ports are also in the advanced stage. CPSUs even including the core and strategic sectors like Energy, Petroleum, Telecom, Metal, Mining, Machine Building, Electronic and Digital, Road, Air and Water Transport, Port & Dock and more are under the privatization onslaught of the Government. In J & K, the entire land and building of the production unit of the sole PSU, ITI Ltd., is being taken over in the name of building an NSG Hub there. The Convention notes that workers of these industries are fighting sectoral battles unitedly. United struggles have been launched by the workers and employees of Government Services Sector including the Scheme Workers, Domestic workers, Migrant workers and unorganized sector workers. The Convention extends full support to these struggles. It also demands that one rank one pension sanctioned to some should be uniformly implemented for all Defence employees.

Attempts are being made by many state governments to dismantle Public sector road transport by issuing route-permits to private parties. The central government intends to get the new Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2017 hastily passed in the parliament which will allow wholesale privatisation of road transport on the one hand and impose draconian measures on the road transport workers including those in private sector. The Rajasthan Road Transport Workers Union is spearheading militant struggle against even the precursor of this bill (Road Transport & Safety Bill, 2014) by forging alliance with other trade unions in the sector, since its inception in 2014. Even now, they are on indefinite strike since 16th September, 2018 against Rajasthan Transport Minister’s volte-face on his assurances and attempts to privatise the depots. The Convention while taking note of the protest action by transport workers, salutes the Road Transport Workers of Maharashtra who demonstrated excellent communication skill, rock hard determination, commitment and unity while observing 4 days State wide general strike to press for their genuine demands despite use of all repressive measures by Government and also disruption by some black sheep., The Convention also notes the widely participated countrywide strike by Road Transport workers on 7 th August 2018 against the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill. The Convention condemns the state Governments, including the state governments of Haryana and Rajasthan and central Government’s anti people and anti worker moves in the transport sector.

The National Convention of Workers extends full solidarity to the fighting farmers in various states as well as under the Joint National Forums of Peasants’ Organizations, including the struggle of STs for implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006. It is the same set of pro-corporate, pro-landlord policies which have created a severe crisis in agriculture, biggest livelihood provider in the economy, leading to continuing increase in spate of suicides. The promised Minimum Support Prices, one and half times the cost of production, to farmers was not accomplished, rather further fraud was committed on the farming community with the kind of announcements made on MSP for their crops.

This National Convention of Workers records its strong denunciation against the communal and divisive machinations on the society being carried on with the active patronage of the Government machinery. The BJP Governments are using draconian UAPA, NSA as well as the agencies of CBI, NIA, IT to harass and suppress any dissenting opinions. The peace loving secular people in the country are facing a stark situation of terror and insecurity all around. Communal forces are cultivating an atmosphere of conflicts within the society on non-issues. It is disrupting the unity of the workers and the toiling people in general, so vital to carry forward the ongoing struggles based on our 12-point Charter of Demands as detailed above. Working Class must raise its strong voice of protest.

This anti-people, anti-workers and anti-national policy regime has not only been imposing increasing miseries on the toiling people at large, it is also severely damaging the national economy and destroying its indigenous productive and manufacturing capabilities to serve the interests of the multinational companies with Indian corporates as their junior partner. This anti-people and anti-national policy regime must be defeated squarely to force the pro-people changes in policies on all fronts. And for that, the united platform of the working class must heighten its struggle further.

The task before the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and independent national federations is to further intensify the surging struggles in various sectors through a concerted united agitation and mobilization at national level to be followed by countrywide general strike action as a culmination and consolidation of all sectoral struggles. 

The National Convention of workers therefore adopts the following programmes:

1.State level, district level and industry/sector level joint conventions to be held during October/November 2018
2. Joint Industry-level gate meetings, rallies etc. during November and December.
3. Submission of strike notice jointly with demonstrations during 17-22 December.
4. Two days countrywide General Strike on 8th and 9th January 2019.

The National Convention calls upon working people across the sectors and throughout the country irrespective of affiliations to make the above programmes a total success.

INTUC AITUC HMS CITU AIUTUC

TUCC SEWA AICCTU LPF UTUC

And Independent Federations of Workers and Employees
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