Railway Workers Favour General Strike

Railway Workers voted for a general strike, all  India  96% of the Railway Workers  voted for  a general strike, in Karnataka (SWR)  98.3% voted for a general strike.

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Difference in wages of regular and contract workers

Difference in wages of regular and contract workers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1500

ANSWERED ON-18.12.2013

Difference in wages of regular and contract workers

1500 . SHRI TAPAN KUMAR SEN

(a)whether there is a huge difference in the wages of a regular and a contract worker doing the same or similar work in industries and establishments both in public sector/Government departments and private sector;

(b)if so, the steps taken by Government to remove such difference in wages of labourers doing the same work;

(c)whether Government is considering to bring in necessary changes in the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 to end such situation; and

(d)if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH)

(a): No such information is available with this Ministry. However, under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act,1948, no separate wage is fixed for contract workers by the appropriate Government under their jurisdiction. The minimum rates of wages fixed for a regular worker in an employment are also applicable for workers on contract basis for similar work.

(b): A provision already exists under rule 25(2)(V)(a) of the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Rules, 1971 that in cases where the workmen employed by the contractor perform the same or similar kind of work as the workmen directly employed by the Principal Employer of the establishment, the wage rates, holidays, hours of work and other conditions of service of the workman of the contractor, shall be the same as applicable to the workmen directly employed by the Principal Employer of the establishment on the same for similar kind of work. Provided that in case of any disagreement with regard to the type of work the same shall be decided by the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central). The Act also makes it mandatory for the contractors/employers to pay minimum wages fixed by the Government. If the contractor fails to pay the minimum wages to the contract labour, the Act makes its obligatory for the Principal Employers to pay the same.

(c) & (d): A proposal to amend the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act is under the consideration of the Government.

7th CPC Constitution in the next couple of weeks

The central government is likely to constitute the 7th Pay Commission for revising the salaries of its over 50 lakh employees before the start of process of next general elections due in May, 2014.

“The Finance Ministry is working out a Cabinet proposal for constitution of the 7th Pay Commission which could be taken up for consideration in the next couple of weeks,” a source said.

According to information available, the government’s intention to constitute 7th Pay Commission before going for polls is clear as it has made provision of Rs. 3.5 crore in the second supplementary demands for grants in this regard which was approved by Parliament in the just concluded Winter Session.

Earlier in September this year, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had announced that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved setting up of the 7th Pay Commission.

According to the announcement, the Commission will be mandated to submit its report in two years time and its recommendations would be implemented from January 1, 2016.

However, after that announcement, no formal proposal was put up before the Union Cabinet for constitution of the Commission.

As per the practice, the Commission is headed by a former Supreme Court Judge and its other members would include experts and officials.

Meanwhile, the government is also believed to have approved fixing minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month under the Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95) run by retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

The government is also understood to have cleared maximum basic wage ceiling of Rs. 15,000 per month for deduction of Provident Fund from existing Rs. 6,500 per month for private sector workers, in general, covered under schemes run by EPFO.

Source: The Hindu

Seminar on 18/12/13 on 7th CPC Common Demands: Photos

Gramin Dak Sevaks court case

Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has ordered the Delhi High Court to decide the prayer of NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) in writ petition No. 1003 of 2013 to treat the three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks as civil servants for all purposes at par with other regular employees as per 1977 SC Judgment & to quash the GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules 2011.

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Seminar on 18/12/13 schedule of program

The seminar on common demands of Central Government Employees which is to be held on 18/12/2013   at Bangalore from 10 am to 5pm at 4th Floor Seminar hall Income tax Office Queens Road  near to GPO Bangalore.

The schedule of program is as follows:

Registration of delegates: From 9.30 to 10 am
(issue of work paper, badge, collection of delegate fee of Rs 150/-



Welcome speech and introductory speech 10.15 to 10.30 am

Inaugural address by  Comrade M.Krishnan Secretary General Confederation of Central Govt. Employees  New Delhi. on the current issues of 7th CPC.  
From 10.30 to 11.15 am

Discussion on common demands of Central Government Employees 

From 11.30 am to 4.30 pm

Lunch from 1.30pm to 2.15pm
 Address by  Comrade M.S.Raja Working President of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees  New Delhi  and other central leaders for finalizing the report and on current issues of CG Employees.

The COC Karnataka has prepared a work paper of 60 pages which will be distributed at the time of registration.
 
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AIRF decision on Strike Ballot.

AIRF has directed its members to go ahead with the  Strike Ballot which is scheduled on 20th  & 21st  December 2013. As the Railways have not considered  its 35 demands. 

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Retail inflation jumps to 9-month high at 11.24 pc in November

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Holiday List 2014

Please see following link. This list is finalized by Local Coordination Committee and sent to DOPT for approval  hence this list subject to approval from DOPT.

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Seminar on Common Demands of CG Employees for 7th CPC.

Comrades,

                 The work paper on the seminar on common demands of Central Government Employees which is to be held on 18/12/2013   at Bangalore from 10 am to 5pm at 4th Floor Seminar hall Income tax Office Queens Road  near to GPO Bangalore  are published along with detailed justification of about 55 pages for your reference and fruitful discussion. 

 

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Comradely yours

P.S.Prasad

General Secretary 

Email: cockarnataka@hotmail.com

7th CPC – NO COMPROMISE ON TERMS OF REFERENCE

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Over 18,000 additional posts to be created in Indirect Tax wing:

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Process to Constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission.Govt reply in Lok Sabha

 

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Finance 

06-December-2013

Process to Constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission Along with Finalization of Its Terms of Reference, The Composition and Timeframe Initiated 

The Government has initiated the process to constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission along with finalization of its Terms of Reference, the composition and the possible timeframe for submission of its Report. The date of effect thereof will be known once the Report is available. 

This was stated by Shri Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha here today.

Seminar on 7th CPC common demands on 18/12/13 at Bangalore

To
All Affiliates
COC Karnataka

Comrade,
                 Sub: Seminar on 7th CPC common demands on 18/12/13 at Bangalore  reg.

As decided in the meeting of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees Karnataka State ( COC ) held on 29-10-2013at ITEF  and a one day State level  Seminar of all India Central Government Employees will be held on 18-12-2013, Wednesday from 10 am to 5pm at 4th Floor Seminar hall Income tax Office Queens Road  near to GPO Bangalore  to discuss common demands of the Central Government Employees in respect of   7^th Central Pay Commission constitution . The Seminar will be addressed by Comrade K.K.N.Kutty, President of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees  New Delhi, Comrade M.Krishnan Secretary General Confederation of Central Govt. Employees  New Delhi and Comrade M.S.Raja Working President of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees  New Delhi .  

It is requested to give wide publicity to this seminar so that delegates from all over the State  to attend this Seminar representing  all Central Government Departments, we can a fruitful discussion on the common demands of Central Government Employees . Since the Central Government is likely to set up the 7^th Central Pay Commission  in December 2013, hence this seminar will be very vital for CG Employees.

In order to meet the expenses towards food and snacks, printing of memorandum of common demands about 50 pages, traveling expenses of the  central leaders a sum of Rs 150/- (one hundred and fifty) will be charged as delegate fee.

The affiliates are requested to intimate well in advance regarding the participation in seminar so that arrangements can be made for the seminar such as food and  printing of memorandum. The affiliates of COC are requested to intimate by 5th  December  to the undersigned.

The  minimum delegates  shall be as follows :

NFPE - 70 members   (RMS 10 P3 30 P4 20  DAP 10)

ITEF 30 members, AG's 10 members, SOI 10 members, Central Excise 10  members

Ground water 10  members, CGHS 10  members, Census 10  members GSI 10  members

CWC 5  members IMD 5 members   ASI  5 members others each 5 members.

Each District minimum of two delegates. 

If any outstation members require accommodation for stay at Bangalore it is available at  NGO rooms Cubbon park at Rs 250/- for three persons, they can book through their respective associations well in advance .  

                                                                                                                                                         Comradely yours

                                                                                                                                                            (P.S.Prasad)

                                                                                                                                      General Secretary 

                                                                                                                              Mobile:                    9480066620

DA for January 2014 is likely to be 100%.

Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) October 2013
 
According to a press release issued by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment the All-India CPI-IW for October, 2013 rose by 3 points and pegged at 241 (two hundred and forty one).

DA as on October 2013 is 97.32% ,with this DA for January 2014 is likely to be 100%. 

Oct-13       CPI- 241          DA is    97.32        

Nov-13       CPI-242           DA is   99.04        

Dec-13       CPI-242           DA is  100.70  
or
Nov-13    CPI-  241      DA is 98.97
Dec-13    CPI-  241      DA is100.56

Strike ballot by AIRF on 20th and 21st December, 2013

On 36 Point Charter of Demands - Resolution adopted in the 89th Annual Convention of AIRF, held at Patna from 22-24, November, 2013.

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NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING 28/11/13

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

      1^st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001

      Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com

CIRCULAR NO. 10                                                                                            DATED – 29.11.2013

GET READY FOR STRIKE

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT DECIDES TO ORGANIZE PHASED AGITATIONAL PROGRAMMES CULMINATING IN STRIKE

NO COMPROMISE ON THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF 7^th CPC SUBMITTED BY THE STAFF SIDE

1.         The National Secretariat of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers met at New Delhi on 28.11.2013 and reviewed the situation arising out of the Government’s announcement of Seventh Central Pay Commission and the subsequent developments thereon.

2.         Eventhough Government has announced constitution of 7^th Central Pay Commission, the appointment is yet to take place. In the meanwhile one round of discussion was held with Secretary, DOP&T on terms of reference. Subsequently, the staff side, JCM National Council has submitted a unanimous proposal on the items to be included in the terms of reference of the 7^th CPC, which includes (i) date of effect as 01.01.2014 (2) merger of DA with pay (3) grant of interim relief (4) inclusion of GDS under the ambit of 7^th CPC (5) statutory pension for those entered into service on or after 01.01.2004 (6) settlement of anomalies of 6^th CPC (7) cashless/hassle-free medicare facilities etc.

Government while announcing the 7^th CPC has made it clear that the date of effect will be 01.01.2016. Further nothing has been mentioned about DA merger and interim relief. Regarding GDS the declared stand of the Government is that GDS are not civil servants and in the past also every time when CPC is appointed, the Government refused to include them in the Pay commission. Last time also inspite of the strong protest and agitational programmes conducted by NFPE and Postal JCA, the Government has appointed a bureaucratic committee. Regarding statutory pension to those who entered into service on or after 01.01.2004, the Government’s stand is well known and it may refuse to include this item also in the terms of reference.

This being the position, our past experience shows that unless and until the demands raised in the staff side proposal submitted to Government on terms of reference of the CPC is backed by serious agitational programmes, rallying the entire Central Government Employees and create compulsion on the Government to accept our justified stand, there is every possibility of Government rejecting the above proposal.

Further all of us are aware that the political situation in the country is gradually getting in election mode. This is bringing forth before the working class movement a crucial task of front-loading our class issues in the ensuring political battle. We have to keep in mind that the corporate class and corporate controlled media has started making effort for relegating the working class issues and the economic policy related issues in particular to the background. It is our duty to bring the demands of the working class to the fore-front and conduct intensive campaign against those policies and also against those who are supporting the neo-liberal globalization policies. Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers being the part and parcel of the mainstream of the working class of our country has got an added responsibility to rally the entire Central Government Employees in the joint struggle against the anti-people and anti-worker policies of the Government which shall ultimately lead to a change in the political equation ensuring implementation of pro-people, pro-worker alternative policy.

Taking into Consideration all the above facts and circumstances, the National Secretariat of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers met at new Delhi on 28.11.2013 took a unanimous decision to go for strike if the Government refuse to accept the staff side proposal on terms of reference. Confederation further decided to organize series of phased programme of action and campaign from now onwards so that the employees will be ready to go for strike on short notice.

It is further decided that Confederation shall not go for any compromise on the demands raised in the proposal submitted by the JCM Staff side on terms of reference of 7^th CPC.

3.      The following are the important decision of the National Secretariat.

1.      The earlier decision to defer the strike ballot after the announcement of the 7^th CPC by the Government is ratified. Under the given circumstances the decision taken to defer the ballot was perfectly right.

2.      The modification made in the Confederation Charter of Demands regarding date of effect of the 7^th CPC (i.e. from 01.01.2011 to 01.01.2014) is approved as it was necessitated for arriving at unanimity among the staff side on term of reference which will strengthen further the unity of all Central Government organizations including Railways and Defence.

3.      Approved the modified Charter of Demands of the Confederation which includes the terms of reference submitted by the Staff side to the Government (copy enclosed Annexure – I)

4.      Decided to conduct the following phased programme of campaign and agitational programmes.

(a)   Convening the Managing bodies/Executive Committees of all affiliated organizations to discuss and ratify the Confederation decision to go for agitational programmes culminating in strike.

(b)   Sector-wise/organisation-wise intensive campaign among the employees by conducting squad work, General body meetings, conventions, postering and issuing printed pamphlets, lunch hour meetings etc, explaining the demands raised in the charter of demands and also the necessity to go for strike if our demands on terms of reference are not accepted. All India/State Leaders of the affiliated organizations shall under-take extensive tour as part of campaign programme.

(c)    The campaign tour programme finalized by the Secretariat meeting earlier is to be implemented. Whereever State level and C-O-C level conventions are yet to be held, it should be held before 20.12.2013. All State Committees and C-O-Cs are requested to organize conventions immediately. The name of the Confederation National leaders who are attending the conventions is given in the enclosed circular. Date of the Conventions may be fixed in consultation with the concerned comrade.

(d)   Decided to conduct nationwide day-long dharna programme at maximum centres, particularly at the state capitals on 2013 December 19^th (19.12.2013) with massive participation of employees. Effort is to be made for maximum media coverage of the programmes.

(e)   Decided to organize mass rallies at all State capitals (and if possible at District Capitals also) before 31.12.2013. National leaders of the Confederation and other trade Union leaders may be invited to address the rallies. All effort should be made to make the rally a grand success ensuring maximum participation of employees.

(f)     Decided to conduct press conferences at all State capitals (other centres also if possible) by the State committees/C-O-Cs to explain the justification of demands and also the proposed strike action.

(g)   Decided to organsie nationwide five days relay dharna at various centres of each city during the period from 30^th December 2013 to 3^rd January 2014 (30.12.2013 to 03.01.2014)

(h)   Mass dharna at New Delhi on 9^th January 2014 by All India Leaders of Confederation and leaders of all affiliated organizations and C-O-Cs and also maximum number of employees from Delhi and nearby states.

(i)     Extended National Executive meeting of Confederation will be held at New Delhi on 10.01.2014 (10^th January 2014) for declaration of the strike date and also the duration of the strike. All the National Secretariat members of the Confederation, All the C-O-C Representatives and all the Chief Executives of the affiliated organizations of Confederation shall attend the mass dharna on 9^th January and the Extended National Executive meeting on 10^th January 2014 WITHOUT FAIL. (Please book the up and down ticket immediately to ensure the participation on both days i.e. on 9^th & 10^th January 2014) If any organisation or C-O-C wants participation of more comrades in the extended National Executive as observers it will be allowed subject to a maximum of five) Participation in the Dharna is allowed without any limit.

5.      Decided to extend full support and solidarity to the proposed strike action of NFPE & FNPO on demands of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) and Casual, Part-time, Contingent employees. It is decided to request the Postal JCA to adjust the date of the strike so that it will be a strike of all Central Government Employees.

6.      Decided to file a case in the Kolkata High Court challenging the PFRDA Bill passed by the Parliament jointly with the All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF). The methodology for raising funds for meeting the expenses for the conducting of the case up to Supreme Court will be decided in the next meeting. C-O-C West Bengal is authorized to assist the National Secretariat in completing the formalities for filling the case in the Kolkata High Court in consultation with AISGEF.

7.      Decided to mobilize maximum employees for participating in the 12^th December Parliament March organized by the Central Trade Unions against the anti-people, anti-worker policies of the Central Government. C-O-C Delhi and C-O-Cs of nearby states and also all affiliated organizations are requested to ensure large scale participation of the employees in the 12^th December Parliament March. It is decided that each organisation shall conduct workers meeting at all important centres in Delhi and nearby states for mobilizing maximum employees to participate in the march.

8.      Decided to extend maximum support and solidarity to the 11^th December 2013 Parliament March organized by the AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) demanding settlement of GDS demands. Delhi C-O-C is requested to extent maximum support for the successful conduct of the GDS Parliament March.

9.      The National Secretariat placed on record its sincere thanks to all the state committees/C-O-Cs and also all the affiliated organisations for making the All India Trade Union Education Camp conducted at Mumbai on 14^th & 15^th November 2013 and also the All India Women’s Convention held at Delhi on 25^th & 26^th November 2013 a grand success, especially to the C-O-C Mumbai and C-O-C Delhi for providing all the infra-structural facilities in an excellent manner.

10.  Decided to appeal to all affiliated organisations to clear the quota dues towards Confederation CHQ before 31.12.2013.  Financial Secretary shall issue separate notices to each organisation indicating the total dues to be remitted.

11.  It is decided that Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General shall represent the Confederation as an official delegate in the International Congress of Southern Initiative on Globalisation and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR) to be held at Perth, Australia from 2^nd to 6^th December 2013.

The National Secretariat meeting was presided over by Com. K. K. N. Kutty, the National President. Com. S. K. Vyasji, Advisor, was present and gave his valuable guidance for arriving at correct conclusion and decisions on each agenda items. Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, presented the organizational report.

Yours Comradely,

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

ANNEXURE – I

MODIFIED CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF CONFEDERATION

1.      Accept the terms of reference of 7^th CPC, submitted by the staff side, National Council JCM.

(a)      To examine the existing structure of pay, allowances and other benefits/facilities, retirement benefits like Pension, Gratuity, other terminal benefits of various categories of Central Government Employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of Postal Department.

(b)      To work out the comprehensive revised pay packet for the categories of Central Government employees including GDS as on 1.1.2014.

(c)       The Commission shall determine the pay structure, benefits, facilities, retirement benefits etc. taking into account the need to provide minimum wage with reference to the recommendation of the 15th Indian Labour Conference (1957) and the subsequent judicial pronouncement of the honorable Supreme Court there-on, as on 1.1.2014.

(d)      To determine the Interim Relief needed to be sanctioned immediately to the Central Government employees including GDS.

(e)       To determine the percentage of Dearness allowance/Dearness Relief immediately to be merged with Pay and pension including GDS.

(f)        To settle the anomalies raised in various fora of JCM.                                                     

(g)      To work out the improvements needed to the existing  retirement benefits, like pension, death cum retirement gratuity, family  pension and other terminal or recurring  benefits maintaining parity amongst past, present and future pensioners and family pensioners including those who entered service on or after 1.1.2004.

(h)      To recommend methods for providing cashless/hassle-free Medicare facilities to the employees and Pensioners including Postal pensioners.

2.      Ensure every five year revision of wages of Central Government Employees in future.

3.      (a) Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal Department and grant of Civil Servant status, statutory pension and all other benefits at par with regular employees.

(b) Regularisation and revision of wages of casual and contract workers.

4.      Compassionate appointment – removal of restrictions imposed by Government.

5.      JCM and Anomaly Committee Functioning.

6.      Fill up all vacant posts and creation of new posts wherever justified.

7.      Stop downsizing, outsourcing, contractorisation and privatization of Government functions.

8.      Stop the move to introduce performance related Pay (PRP) system, Extend PLB Bonus for all, removing bonus ceiling.

9.      Revise OTA and Night Duty Allowance rates and clothing rates.

10.  Implement arbitration awards.

11.  Five promotions to all.

12.  Rescind the PFRDA Act. Ensure statutory Pension for all.

13.  Stop price rise. Revive and extend public distribution system for all.

14.  Stop trade Union victimization.

15.  Ensure Right to strike.