The Nation is shocked that, Shri Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Services, has been killed in a tragic accident yesterday, together with his wife and 11 other Defence personnel. This is a rude shock and a very big loss to the nation. BSNLEU pays it’s respectful homage to Shri Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Defence personnel, who were killed in the chopper mishap. We also express our deep condolences to the families of Shri Bipin Rawat and other Defence personnel. In the past, we have come across frequent incidences in which pilots are killed in fighter Jet crashes. However, now the highest ranking officer of the Indian Armed Forces himself is killed in a mishap. It is the duty of the government to ensure that such things do not happen in future.

The CHQ of BSNLEU gave call for country wide black badge wearing demonstrations on 08.12.2021, condemning and demanding action against the sexual harassments by the GMTD of Ludhiana district in Punjab circle.  In this demonstration call, common demands of the employees are not included. Further, the issue is limited to the Ludhiana SSA of Punjab circle. So, we had a thinking that, the demonstrations may not be very widespread. However, CHQ is overwhelmed to see the success of the demonstrations. Employees have gathered in large numbers to condemn the GMTD Ludhiana, as well as the lethargic and insensitive Management. However, the most striking aspect of this agitation is that, women employees have participated in large numbers everywhere. Women employees coming forward in large numbers to condemn the atrocities against women, shows the quality of our great organisation, as well as the commitment of our leaders at the circle and district levels.  The demonstration has taken place even in remote places, where only 3/4 employees are posted. This again shows the faith bestowed on our great organisation, by employees working even in the remotest parts of the country. CHQ bows its head and salutes all the leaders and comrades, who have made this struggle a resounding success.

After approval of BSNL’s “Restructuring of Manpower”, by the BSNL Board, it is time for the Management to conduct all the LICEs of the Non-Executive cadres. However, conducting of these examinations are subject to the availability of vacancies in the cadres of JTO, JE and TT. The Establishment Branch of the Corporate Office has issued letter to all the CGMs, directing them to prepare the roster. Yesterday, Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, met Shri R.K. Goyal, PGM(Pers.), BSNL CO. and Shri Saurabh Tyagi, Sr.GM(Estt.) and discussed about the availability of posts, so that the LICEs can be held without further delay. Both the PGM(Pers.) and the Sr.GM(Estt.) told that, needful actions are being taken.   

As has been already been informed, a meeting was held between the representatives of the AUAB and the DDG(PM), DoT, at Sanchar Bhawan, on 24.11.2021. The representatives of the AUAB raised the important issues related to the revival of BSNL, as well as issues related to the employees. The DoT vide it’s letter no.F.62-4/2020-SU(E 103496) dated 01^st December, 2021, has issued the minutes for this meeting. The same is enclosed for the information of our comrades.

All are aware that, the MoU signed between BSNL Management and the New India Assurance Company for implementation of a Health Insurance Scheme has failed. Thereafter, BSNLEU is continuously pressing on the Management to sign an MoU for the implementation of a Health Insurance Scheme. BSNLEU has already written two letters to the Director (HR), in this connection. Yesterday Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, met Shri S.P. Singh, GM(Admin.), BSNL CO., and discussed this issue. The GM(Admin) replied that, the Corporate Office is taking speedy action on this issue. He told that the Management has already received biddings from four Public Sector Insurance Companies. The biddings will be opened today (08.12.2021). Further, the GM(Admin) assured that the Health Insurance Policy for the willing employees will be implemented either from 01^st January or 01^st February, in 2022.

BSNLEU is continuously taking up the issue of Career Progression of the sports personnel. BSNLEU has already written many letters on this issue. Yesterday Com.Animesh Mitra, President and Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, discussed this issue with Shri S.P. Singh, GM(Admin.), BSNL CO., and demanded speedy implementation of the Career Progression for the sports personal. The GM(Admin.) replied that necessary action is being taken on this issue and that it will be settled soon.

As per the call of the CHQ of BSNLEU, Black Badge-wearing protest demonstrations were organised throughout the country today, against the sexual harassments being done by the GMTD, Ludhiana, in Punjab circle. The Corporate Management should wake up from it’s deep slumber. Sexual harassments and that too, by an officer in the rank of a General Manager, is going on in BSNL and the Corporate Management is remaining as a silent spectator. It is the duty of the Corporate Management to safeguard the dignity of each and every woman employee working in BSNL. We demand that, the Corporate Management should take immediate action against the GMTD, Ludhiana, who is misusing his official power to sexually harass the women employees.  

The salary of the employees is now being directly disburse by the Corporate Office. Salary for the month of November, 2021, has been disbursed on 01^st December, 2021. However, the CHQ of BSNLEU has received complaint that a section of the employees in UP(West) have not received their salary. CHQ has received complaint from Moradabad and Aligarh. It seems the problem is with the Bank. Hence, CHQ has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding immediate action on this matter.

The Central Trade Unions organised a National Convention of Workers at Jantar Mantar on 11^th November, 2021. The Convention deliberated in detail about the pro-corporate, anti-people, anti-worker and anti-kisan policies of the Modi government. The Convention unanimously resolved to organise a two day General Strike in the budget session of the Parliament, opposing the wrong policies of the government and demanding settlement of the 12 point charter of demands of the Central Trade Unions. Thereafter, the Central Trade Unions have discussed and finalised the date of the General Strike. Yesterday, the Central Trade Unions have issued a statement, announcing that the two day General Strike would take place on 23^rd & 24^th February, 2022.

Charter of demands

1. Scrapping the Labour Codes; Scrapping of EDSA.
2. Accept 6-point charter of demands, post repeal of Farm Laws, of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.
3. No to Privatisation in any form and scrap the NMP;
4. Food and Income Support of Rs 7500 per month to non-income tax paying households;
5. Increased allocation for MNREGA and extension of Employment guarantee Scheme to urban areas;
6. Universal social security for all informal sector workers;
7. Statutory Minimum wage and social security for Anganwadi, ASHA, Mid-day-meal and other Scheme workers;
8. Proper protection and insurance facilities for frontline workers serving the people in the midst of pandemic;
9. Increase in public investment in agriculture, education, health and other crucial public utilities by taxing the rich through wealth tax etc in order to revive and revamp the national economy;
10. Substantial reduction in Central Excise duty on petroleum product and concrete remedial measure to arrest price rise.
11. Regularisation of contract workers, scheme workers and equal pay for equal work for all.
12. Cancellation of NPS and restoration of old pension; substantial increase in minimum pension under Employees’ Pension Scheme.

The CHQ has already given call for organising Black Badge wearing demonstrations tomorrow the 08.12.2021. The CHQ has also given call to the circle secretaries to submit memorandum to the CGMs. This memorandum is addressed to the CMD BSNL and the Secretary, Telecom. A copy of the memorandum is already sent to the circle secretaries, through WhatsApp. So, the circle secretaries should submit a copy of the signed memorandum to the CGMs. In addition to this, the memorandum should also be e-mailed to the CMD BSNL and the Secretary, Telecom, on the following e-mail IDs.

1. cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in
2. secy-dot@nic.in

The CHQ of BSNLEU has already given call to organise Black Badge wearing demonstration tomorrow the 08.12.2021, condemning the sexual harassments being done by the GMTD, Ludhiana, in Punjab circle. All the circle secretaries are requested to organise the programme successfully. Maximum number of employees should be organised in this programme. Each and every employee should wear Black Badges. Reports and photos may be sent to the CHQ. 

A meeting of the Central Executive Committee of BSNLEU will be held online on 22.12.2021. Com.Animesh Mitra, President, will preside over this meeting. Notification for this CEC meeting is issued today. The link for joining this meeting will be sent to all the CEC members through WhatsApp in due course. All the circle secretaries and central office bearers of the Union are requested to attend the meeting without fail. Notification is enclosed.

The SR Branch of the Corporate Office has issued the minutes of the Wage Negotiation Committee meeting. The same is enclosed for the information of our comrades.

The CHQ has already given call to organise black badge wearing demonstrations on 08.12.2021, against the sexual harassments of women employees, by the GMTD, Ludhiana, Punjab circle. Two women employees have complained against this sexual harassment. The GMTD, Ludhiana, is trying to arm-twist the ICC. The efforts taken by BSNLEU to get the matter resolved by the intervention of the high authorities, have failed. Hence, the CHQ calls upon the circle and district secretaries to take serious steps for organising the black badge wearing demonstrations on 08.12.2021. Efforts should be taken to mobilise maximum number of employees, pensioners and contract workers. Circle secretaries should submit a memorandum to the CGMs on that day. A copy of the memorandum to be submitted has already been sent on WhatsApp to the circle secretaries.

A meeting of the Wage Negotiating Committee of the Non-Executives is held today. All the Staff Side and Management Side members participated. As has already been assured in the last meeting, the Management Side made a power point presentation. According to the information of the Management: -

1)   The present strength of Non-Executives is 33,048. In this, absorbed employees are 18,553. BSNL recruited employees are 14,495. In this, number of the Non-Executives in stagnation is as follows: -

1. Stagnation 1 – 2,134
2. Stagnation 2 – 2,351
3. Stagnation 3 – 1,938
4. At maximum of the pay scale to 2,784.
5. Total number of stagnated employees 9,207.

2)   The Management Side further stated that, the employees who lost their increments, due to stagnation, will get them now. This will give financial benefit to the stagnating employees. They further stated that, the Directly Recruited employees will get benefit to the extent of 12% increased EPF contribution by the Management.

3)   The Management stated that the financial burden of the Company on account of Pension Contribution in the new pay scales will increase by 2.6 times. Hence, they suggested to reduce the minimum and the maximum of the pay scales that have already been finalised in the Wage Negotiation Committee. But, the Staff Side strongly opposed this.

4)   Instead, the Staff Side demanded that the already finalised pay scales should be implemented with 5% fitment. Further discussion will take place in the next meeting.

In a question raised in the Lok Sabha on 01^st December, 2021, by Shri G.M. Siddeshwar, MP, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, has replied that the value of BSNL is Rs.89,878/- crores. The breakup figures of this value amount is also given by the Hon’ble Minister. Similarly, the value of MTNL is stated as Rs.3,252/- crores.