Cyclone Gaja which hit Tamil Nadu had caused huge losses/damages of infrastructure, properties and displaced many. About fifty people lost their lives.  Around one lakh people are in relief camps in Nagapatinam, Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Trichy, Dindigul, Theni  districts. 

The cyclone had caused damages to hundreds of houses, uprooted over more than 5,000 trees and about 13,000 electric poles across the state. Life was severely hit as the supply of electricity and essentials was disrupted and transport was affected.

We demand that the state and central governments to take all possible steps to rescue and for relief and rehabilitation of the affected involving the people as was done in Kerala.

Centre of Indian Trade Unions calls upon the working class in general and the working class of Tamil Nadu in particular to stand in solidarity with the people affected by Gaja cyclone. We call upon the CITU union committees and members to involve in rescue, relief and rehabilitation works and extend all possible help to the affected.

Issued by
Tapan Sen
General Secretary

Arun Jailtley says his government ‘missed’ adding MDM workers in the latest announcement on increase in remuneration of anganwadi and ASHA workers.

More than fifteen thousand Mid Day Meal Workers assembled at Parliament Street today,(on 19 November 2018) at the call of Mid Day Meal Workers’ federations affiliated to the central trade unions.  Workers from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, HP, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Manipur, MP, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, UP, Uttarakhand and West Bengal shouted anti BJP-NDA-Modi slogans and demanded immediate increase in their remuneration.

The presidium of the meeting consisted of Dr.B V Vijayalakshmi(AITUC), Kanta Mahant (CITU) and Sohila Gupta (AICCTU). From the central trade Unions Amarjeet Kaur (AITUC), A R Sindhu (CITU), Geeta Mandal (AICCTU), M Chaurasia( AIUTUC), Ujjaini (INTUC)and Ashok Ghosh (UTUC) addressed the gathering. A R Sindhu said that the scheme workers are contributing labour worth rupees one lakh crore to the development of the nation and our fight is a struggle to get this accounted. She called upon the mid day meal workers to make the national general strike on 8-9 January 2019 a grand success.  D Raja, MP and Sai Balaji, JNUSU president also addressed the gathering.

Jaibhagawan, General Secretary, MDMWFI (CITU) narrated the governments’ efforts to privatise the scheme and the resistance against it. The central government is not even considering the promise made by the HRD Ministry in the 45^th Indian Labour Conference to increase the remuneration to Rs.3000 per month. When the government increased the remuneration of anganwadi and ASHA workers they just ignored the 26 lakh mid day meal workers and discriminated against them, he said. He also narrated different struggles of the mid day meal workers in different states and the achievements of increased remuneration, uniform, and medical treatment in case of accidents etc.

The AICCAW welcomes the announcement by the government that the monthly remuneration of ASHA facilitators will be increased by Rs. 1000.

In September a similar increase was announced by the Prime Minister, for ASHA workers, in recognition of their valuable contribution in the public health sector, in the NHM.  However, the increase is extremely small and far from the 45^th ILC recommendation for regularisation, payment of minimum wages and provision of social security benefits and pension for all Scheme workers and so the struggle for these will continue.

The government has been compelled to make this announcement  because of the continuous struggles by these workers and also the intervention made by the General Secretary of CITU, Shri Tapan Sen, ex Rajya Sabha MP, with the Prime Minister and Health Minister.

However there appears to be some confusion regarding which section of workers this increase will apply to as there are differing reports in the media. The government should clarify this matter.   

It is also significant that the announcement has been made on the eve of assembly elections in 5 states.

The AICCAW calls upon the ASHA workers and facilitators to gear up for more intense struggles for their justified demands and to prepare fully for the two day General Strike declared by the central trade unions on 8, 9 January 2019

Issued by
Ranjana Nirula
Convenor

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions denounces the Govt’s total inaction in addressing the problems of Employees Pension Scheme - 1995 and the concerned pensioners despite the continuing persuasion by the pensioners’ organizations, and trade unions including CITU.

At the time of introduction of EPS 1995, CITU opposed the scheme almost singlehandedly since it offered much less benefits compared to contribution made by the workers throughout their service life. The matter went up to Supreme Court and the then Govt could get the approval of Supreme Court for the scheme by showcasing number of benefits being offered like commutation of pension and return of capital etc. But soon thereafter all those benefits viz., commutation and return of capital have been unilaterally withdrawn by the Govt arrogantly ignoring the opposition of the trade unions including CITU.  The utter deception as well as arrogance of the Govt has gone to such nefarious extent that those pensioners who could avail the commutation of a part of their pension as per the then prevalent rules are still being subjected to  continuous deduction in their meager pension amount even after the entire commutation amount is fully realized and such illegitimate deduction from the concerned pensioners has still been continuing for years together even after they have paid back the full commutation amount despite repeated pointers to such illegitimate deductions by the trade unions and pensioners.  This is nothing but forcible and usurious extortion on the EPS pensioners by the Govt which is condemnable.

Even after prolonged persuasion by the trade unions, minimum pension under EPS was made Rs 1000/- and the same was notified in 2014. But even this was not implemented properly and lakhs of pensioners are even now getting much less than the notified minimum of Rs 1000.

The Govt has been overactive in finding innovative ways how to curtail the benefits of poor pensioners under EPS and that has reached to a crooked extent. Even the clear direction of the Supreme Court to pension calculated on the actual pay at the time of superannuation provided they agree to contribute to pension fund as per their actual pay is being violated by the Govt through EPFO in a crookedly innovative manner by way of unjustly denying such benefits to the workers under exempted establishments despite opposition of trade union representatives in Central Board of Trustees of EPFO and the entire trade union movement as such.

Now recently the Kerala High Court has delivered a judgment on 12^th October 2018 which has struck down most of the anti-worker amendments in EPS 1995 unilaterally imposed by Govt aiming at substantial reduction in pensioner benefits. This judgment has been given in response to a set of petitions by pensioners and their organizations.

The Modi Govt as usual is moving to deny the benefits of the Kerala High Court award by pushing the entire matter to further litigation which is condemnable.

CITU demand that the Government and EPFO should accept the Kerala High Court Judgment and also implement fully the earlier Supreme Court Judgment on higher Pension to all without any exception including those in exempted establishment’s category. Govt should also restore the unilaterally withdrawn benefits and also implement pending decisions of the CBT, which are beneficial to Pensioners.

Issued by
(Tapan Sen)
General Secretary

Central Trade Unions condemn the victimization and continuing repression of the Road Transport employees who are resolutely opposing the anti-people privatization of public transport by the BJP led Government of Haryana. The strike, at the call of the United Platforn of Trade Unions, commenced on 16^thOctober and was to end on 17^th October 2018. However to protest against the ferocious repressive steps of the Government the strike has been extended and is continuing with increasing number of employees joining the strike action.

For the last 3 years, the BJP Government of Haryana has been desperately trying to wind up Haryana Roadways and hand over the entire passenger transport operation to private operators. Such a move in 2017 was stalled by the trade unions through a militant strike action.  Now, the Government has again initiated steps to engage 720 private buses on lease to operate in state transport routes on ‘kilometer’ basis. It is obvious that such action of the Government is motivated to ultimately totally privatise the most efficiently rune public transport system of Haryana.

It is a matter of shock and anguish that instead of opening dialogue with the striking unions, the Government has resorted to vindictive and repressive action path. Union offices of AIRTWF, AITUC, INTUC in some places like Faridabad depot have been sealed.

Hundreds of workers have been arrested under ESMA and also other various non-bailable false charges. Suspension order has been slapped on nearly 500 employees. About 100 newly recruited employees have been issued termination notice. The government has started the process of new recruitment as well.

The Central Trade Unions demand that the government must release all arrested employees and withdraw all cases against them. Further orders of termination and suspension must be withdrawn.  

The Central Trade Unions emphatically demand that the Haryana Government must stop all steps to privatise the Public Road Transport operation and immediately start bipartite negotiations with the Joint Action Forum of trade unions to discuss and decide steps to ensure more efficiency of the public road transport operation in the state.

In the meantime the Central Trade Unions congratulate the road transport workers for giving a befitting reply to the draconian repressive measures of the government by extending the strike by two days. The strike has got full public support as well.

Central Trade Unions appeal to the working class of the country irrespective of affiliations to express solidarity to the striking employees of Haryana Roadways.

INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC, LPF 

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) congratulates the Haryana Roadways’ employees for the successful total strike on its first day (16 October 2018) of the two days’ strike as per the call of the joint forum of all trade unions against the move for total privatization of roadway services by the BJP Government of Haryana. NO bus is on the road today. The strike has got full support from the public as well. CITU extends full support and solidarity to the strike to save the public transport system in the state in the larger interest of the people. We strongly condemn the vindictive and repressive actions of the Haryana Government and the management of Haryana Roadways on the striking workers.

For the last 3 years, the BJP Government of Haryana is desperately trying to wind up Haryana Roadways and hand over the entire passenger transport to the private operators. Earlier in 2017 the Government has decided to issue permits to private operators in 3600 routes. It was vehemently opposed by all the trade unions except BMS and series of struggles were launched. Finally the Government was compelled to withdraw its decision in the face of militant united indefinite strike by the Roadways workers and declared that a new transport policy will be adopted duly taking the unions in to confidence.

But violating this promise, the pro corporate BJP Government in Haryana has been continuously trying for the backdoor privatization of the state transport sector. Now, the government unilaterally declared that 720 private buses will be hired/taken on lease by Haryana Roadways on kilometer basis and operate in state transport routes. The unions have opposed the scheme system tooth and nail decided to go for strike to save the industry. They called for 2 days strike on16 & 17thOctober 2018.

The Government resorted to vindictive and repressive actions since the strike notice was issued by the joint forum of trade unions. ESMA has been imposed. Around 250 workers and union leaders were suspended; union offices of AIRTWF, AITUC, INTUC in some places like Faridabad depot have been sealed. Leaves to the union leaders are also not sanctioned. In spite of such large scale repression, the strike is total throughout the state. CITU demands the Haryana Government to put an end to the vindictive actions, withdraw the proposed hire scheme for privatization and negotiate with the unions.

It is highly appreciable that the workers are giving befitting reply to the Government by intensifying the struggle and we are sure that the trade union movement in Haryana will defeat the government move to privatise the public assets.

Issued by
Tapan Sen
General Secretary

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions expresses serious concern over the continuing physical attacks and violence unleashed on the migrant workers from Bihar, UP and other states working in Gujarat by the parochial and divisive forces with the BJP Govt in the state remaining a virtual indulgent spectator.  

No doubt, the incident of alleged rape on child is condemnable and the guilty should be punished, which is essentially the responsibility of the state government. But making this incident a plea for organized attack and witch-hunt on the entire community of migrant workers in Gujarat speaks volumes about the divisive and parochial policies and politics being practiced in the state by the ruling polity.  This is utterly condemnable.

Already more than 50000 migrant workers were forced to leave Gujarat during the span of last one week or so. The exodus is continuing.  While the policies being pursued by the government are the culprit for lack of employment generation and loss of employment, witch hunt and attacks against the migrant workers in Gujarat are being carried out with the slogan of “locals are deprived of job opportunity because of the migrant workers from other states”. It is to be noted that divisive and parochial entities like Thakore Sena and others nourished and promoted by the same brand of politics and policies are the ones raising such slogans.

CITU condemns such violence and attacks on the migrant workers in Gujarat and demands upon the state government to take immediate measures to contain such continuing violence by all means and deal the perpetrator organizations carrying on such violence on the migrant workers in the state.

CITU also calls upon the trade unions irrespective of affiliations including those in Gujarat to protest and oppose such violence and attacks on the workers and come forward in defending and protecting the migrant workers in the state from the onslaught of the parochial and divisive outfits.

Issued by

Tapan Sen
General Secretary

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 28^th 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 Centre of Indian Trade Unions strongly denounces the illegal and vindictive termination of two employees by the management of the Japanese MNC, YAMAHA in its plant in Tamilnadu.

The employees were terminated without any notice and showing any reason therefor immediately after the formation of the trade union there and submission of their charter of demands under section 2(k) of the Industrial Disputes Act.

As a natural reaction to such illegal and vindictive termination by the YAMAHA management, all the here thousand workers started instant sit-in strike in the plant from 21^st September 2018.

The AIADMK Govt in Tamilnadu shamefully demonstrating slavish loyality to the Japanese management by letting lose the police repression on the workers on peacefully sit-in strike and arrested three leading workers on false and fabricated charges.

CITU condemns the state govt of Tamilnadu for brutal repressive measures on the peaceful strike of the workers against illegal termination and also the Japanese MNC management for unlawfully victimizing the workers for asserting their constitutional right by forming trade union under the Law of the Land.

CITU demands upon the Govt of Tamilnadu to intervene in consistence with the constitutional provisions and compel the YAMAHA management to reinstate all terminated workers and defend their constitutional right to form trade union. The Govt must ensure release of all the arrested workers unconditionally.

CITU welcomes the trade unions of Tamilnadu and CITU unions in particular for extending support to the struggling workers of YAMAHA. CITU calls upon to intensify the united statewide solidarity action to compel both the state Govt and the YAMAHA management to see reasons and restore normalcy through release of the arrested workers, reinstatement of terminated workers and granting recognition of the trade union in YAMAHA.

Issued by
(Tapan Sen )
General Secretary

Centre of Indian Trade Unions vehemently condemns the brutal police action on the peasants who were marching to Delhi to highlight their genuine demands.

The peasants who started their march from Haridwar under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) on 23^rd September were scheduled to reach the Kisan Ghat in the national capital on 2^nd October. Instead of addressing their genuine demands, the BJP led Modi government chose to use force to stop them from even reaching the national capital. Police resorted to lathi charge, water cannons and tear gas on the peaceful march of the peasants at Ghazipur at the Uttar Pradesh – Delhi border.

This brutal force on the farmers who feed the country exposes the real face of the BJP led Modi government which wants to hide its anti peasant anti people character using fake promises and false slogans through its media blitzkrieg spending thousands of crores of people’s money. It is to be recalled that it was the state government led by the same BJP that has killed six peasants in police firing when they were demanding remunerative prices and loan waiver. It were the state governments in Assam and Jharkhand led by the same BJP that killed peasants earlier.

CITU warns that the working class will not remain a silent spectator if the government neglects the genuine demands of the peasants of the country on whose toil the country depends for its food. CITU demands the government to desist from any attempts to suppress the rising tide of agitations by the peasants who are the victims of the agrarian crisis due to the neoliberal policies being aggressively pursued by the BJP government led by Modi. CITU also warns that the government will be grievously mistaken if it thinks that it can suppress peasants’ struggles, or for that matter, struggles by the workers or any section of the people, through force.

CITU calls upon the working class in the entire country to forcefully protest the use of uncalled for force on the peacefully protesting peasants and stand in rock strong solidarity with their peasant brethren.