Central Trade Unions reiterate countrywide General Strike on 2nd September 2016 – Press Statement

Released in the Press Conference of CTUOs held on 31st August 2016 at Press Club, New Delhi
Press Communique

31st August 2016

Central Trade Unions Reiterate countrywide General Strike on 2nd Sept, 2016 Group of Ministers (GOM) Announcement an eyewash

The Central Trade Unions reiterate the call for countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2016 against the anti-worker and anti-people policies of the Govt. in view of utterly unresponsive and undemocratic attitude of the Govt. The CTUs view the announcements made by Committee of Ministers as an eyewash and decide to go ahead with the Strike. Meagre raise in minimum wage to Rs.9100/- per month in central sphere is not binding on the States.

The CTUOs expressed dismay over utterly negative attitude of the Govt. towards basic demands of the workers on minimum wages as per consensus formulation of the Indian Labour Conference, on universal social security including pension for all workers including those in unorganised sector, against mass scale contractorisation of permanent and perennial work, against onslaught on basic rights of the workers through so called labour-law-reforms through various state governments and also by the centre in the background of large scale violation of labour laws being promoted by both the central govt and also many state govts, desperate move for privatisation/disinvestment of strategic and sensitive public sector units, and promoting limitless FDI in sensitive sectors like Defence, Railways, Banks, Insurance, Retail and Pharmaceuticals etc. which is also against the interest of the national economy.

The CTUOs made it clear that the desperate bid of the Govt for changing the labour laws both through central and many state govts is basically designed to throw even the overwhelming majority of the organised sector workers out of the coverage and purview of all basic labour laws which would render all other rights and benefits of the working people virtually meaningless.

The CTUOs also noted with dismay that the Govt while making public statement on being positive on the demands of the workers, has actually been actively pushing through executive measures, one after another, just in the opposite direction, against the interest of the working people in the grab of ensuring so called “else of doing business”. All these proactive initiatives militate against the basic interests and rights of the working people. Even the non-striking Central Trade Union also officially recorded its opposition.

The CTUOs expressed satisfaction over the increasing response by the workers throughout the country to the call for united action. The strike is going to be complete in industrial sectors such as transport, financial, power, coal, textile, automobile, port and dock, steel, oil, defence production, scheme, education etc.
sectors and Central and State Govts. employees. In some states it is going to be bandh like situation.

It is unfortunate that during the past one year, the Group of Ministers appointed for discussion with the CTUOs on 12 point charter has not convened even a single meeting but has been only talking to BMS which has not joined the strike call. The CTUOs denounce such undemocratic bias of the Govt.

The CTUOs condemn the move of the central govt to divide the workers in the face of ongoing strike campaign and create confusion through making misleading statements on its so called positive attitude on workers’ demands both directly and through their various agencies and allies.

While expressing confidence that such dubious action to divide the workers will not succeed, the CTUOs appeal to the working people of the country irrespective of affiliations to further widen their unity and unitedly combat the anti-worker, anti-people policies of the Govt through making the call for countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2016 a total success.

AITIC
HMS
OIFU
AIUTUC
SEWA
AICCTU
UTUC
LPF
And independent federations of Workers/Employees.

Source http://confederationhq.blogspot.in

Grants-in-aid for the year 2016-17 to the Central Government Employees Resident Welfare Associations-Submission of Accounts for the year 20 15-16 regarding

No. 7/01/2016- Welfare
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
*******

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi,
Dated 1st September, 2016

To
The Secretaries of the
Central Government Employees Resident
Welfare Association, (Recognized by DOPT).

Subject: Grants-in-aid for the year 2016-17 to the Central Government Employees Resident 
Welfare Associations-Submission of Accounts for the year 20 15-16 regarding.

Sir/Madam,
Please refer to this Department's letter of even number dated 22.06.2016 on the subject mentioned above, wherein all Secretaries of the Central Government Employees Resident Welfare Associations, recognized by DoPT, were requested to submit their proposals for grants-in-aid for the year 2016-17.

2. All CGERWAs, who have yet not submitted their proposals, are again requested to submit the same in the prescribed proformas to this Department by 15.09.2016 positively along with the accounts for the year 2015-16.

Yours faithfully,
(G.S. Arora)
Chief Welfare Officer (RWA)

View original file

Government notifies National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

Government notifies National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

Government has notified National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme. It is for the first time a scheme has been notified to offer financial incentives to employers. The Scheme has an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore with a target of 50 Lakh apprentices to be trained by 2019-20.Apprenticeship Training is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to develop skilled manpower for the country. It provides for an industry led, practice oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training. The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India. The policy proposes to work pro-actively with the industry including MSME to facilitate tenfold increase opportunities in the country by 2020.

25% of the prescribed stipend payable to an apprentice would be reimbursed to the employers directly by the Government of India. The scheme also supports basic training, which is an essential component of apprenticeship training by sharing of basic training cost with basic training providers in respect of apprentices who come directly to apprenticeship without any formal trade training (fresher apprentices).

Online portal for ease of administering. All transactions including registration by employers, apprentices, registration of contract and payment to employers will be made as online mode. Eligible employers shall engage apprentices in a band of 2.5% to 10% of the total strength of the establishment. Employers need to register on the apprenticeship portal and must have TIN/TAN and any one of EPFO/ESIC/LIN. Employers are invited to register on the apprenticeship portal to avail benefits under the scheme.

Brand Ambassadors will be appointed for states and for local industrial clusters to act as facilitators and promoters to promote apprenticeship training.

PIB

September 2 nationwide strike to be bigger than last years: Unions

Sept 2 nationwide strike to be bigger than last year’s: Unions

New Delhi: As many as 10 central trade unions will go ahead with the general strike on Friday saying the government gave no heed to their 12-point charter of demands and is continuing with unilateral labour reforms.

CTUs claimed that over 15 crore workers are likely to participate in the strike and it will be bigger than the one held last year as members of BMS will also support them.

RSS-affiliated Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is the only major trade union which has opted out of strike – like last year – which was also held on September 2, in view of the assurances given by the government.
“Some leaders of Bmshave decided not to go on strike. But its state units would participate in the strike. Workers will give a befitting reply to the dubious activities inspired by the government,” CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen said here in a joint press conference by 10 CTUs here.

CTUs reiterate the call for countrywide general strike on September 2 against the “anti-worker and anti-people policies” of the government and in view of its “utterly unresponsive and undemocratic attitude”, Sen added.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Secretary Amarjeet Kaur said the unions view the announcements made by Ministers’ panel, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as an eyewash.

“It is like cheating the people,” she said, adding that this time the number will be bigger than 15 crore who participated in the general strike last year and more than 10 states will have bandh-like situation.
Strike is going to be complete in industrial sectors such as transport, financial, power, coal, textile, port and dock, automobile, steel, oil, defence production, scheme, education and Central and State government employees, Kaur added.

Referring to BMS decision not to participate in the strike, Kaur said: “Government has not had a single meeting with the CTUs in over a year and is talking to those (BMS) who have not given a strike notice.”
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Vice President Ashok Singh said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his fight is with poverty, but it seems his fight is with the poor in this country. The government’s decision are totally pro-capitalist.”

CTUs expressed dismay over “utterly negative” attitude of the government on basic demands of workers on minimum wages as per consensus formulation of Indian Labour Conference, on universal social security including pension for all workers including those in unorganised sector, among others.
They added that government is dragging its feet over the mass scale contractorisation of permanent and perennial work.

Attacking the government’s initiatives on labour reforms, the unions said: “All these proactive initiatives militate against the basic interests and rights of the working people. Even the non-striking CTU (BMS) also officially recorded its opposition.

PTI

2% DA for the month of July 2016 - AICPIN for the month of July 2016

2% DA for the month of July 2016 - AICPIN for the month of July 2016: 

No. 5/1/2016-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU
CLEREMONT, SHIMLA-171004

DATED: 31st August, 2016

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) — July, 2016

The All-India CPI-IW for July, 2016 increased by 3 points and pegged at 280 (two hundred and eighty). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 1.08 per cent between June, 2016 and July, 2016 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.77 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 1.65 percentage points to the total change. The House Rent index further accentuated the overall index by (+) 0.86 percentage points. At item level, Rice, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Besan, Black Gram, Gram Dal, Groundnut Oil, Eggs (Hen), Poultry (Chicken), Milk, Chillies Green, Garlic, Onion, Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Gourd, Palak, Potato, Pumpkin, Banana, Sugar, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was checked by Fish Fresh, French Beans, Tomato, Electricity Charges, Petrol, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 6.46 per cent for July, 2016 as compared to 6.13 per cent for the previous month and 4.37 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 9.34 per cent against 8.33 per cent of the previous month and 3.21 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Bokaro reported the maximum increase of 11 points followed by Munger-Jamalpur (10 points), Giridih, Agra and Delhi (9 points each). Among others, 7 points increase was observed in 4 centres, 6 points in 10 centres, 5 points in 5 centres, 4 points in 9 centres, 3 points in 8 centres, 2 points in 8 centres and 1 point in 5 centres. On the contrary, Mysore recorded a maximum decrease of 6 points followed by Mundakkayam and Coimbatore (5 points each), and Hubli Dharwar and Emakulam (4 points each). Among others, 3 points decrease was observed in 4 centres, 2 points in 2 centres and 1 point in 5 centres. Rest of the 8 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 33 centres are above All-India Index and other 43 centres’ indices are below national average. The indices of Vishakhapathnam and Mundakkayam centres remained at par with All-India Index.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of August, 2016 will be released on Friday, 30th September, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.

EXPECTED DA CALCULATION FROM JULY 2016

DA is the most important allowance in existing Pay, if you look at the current basic DA is higher.

7th CPC Basic fixation has biggest influenced with the DA value. For this reason, after 7th Pay commission implementation, Central government staffs are looking out for how DA would be available.

In 6th CPC, everyone know how DA was calculated

In the above formula 115.76 was fixed based on the below interpretation

After implementation of Sixth Pay Commission report, Government ordered that the dearness allowance has to be calculated based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI¬IW index) with the base year 2001-100. So, DA with effect from the period 1.1.2006, has to be calculated using average Price CPI-IW index of 536 for 2005 (base 1982-100) adjusted to the base year 2001-100 by dividing the same with the Linking Factor between 1982 and 2001 Series which is 4.63. As a result, the average consumer price index (Industrial workers) for 12 months in 2005 (base 2001-100) was worked out to 115.76.To calculate Dearness Allowance with effect from Jan-06, we need the average of monthly All India Consumer Price Index (IW) with the base year

2001-100 for the preceding 12 months and apply the same in the following formula:

DA – (Average AICPI-115.76)x 100/115.76

For example, to calculate the DA for 01/01/2007, we find that the average AICPI in the year 2007 -118.95. So, D.A. as on 01/01/2007 – (118.95 – 115.76)*100 /115.76 = 2%.

In 7th CPC entire calculation can change if we use the same combination. Let’s see, how this can change?
Based on it, in 2015 (base 2001 =100) Average is 261.40 and by using the same following formula the expected (assumed) DA in 7th CPC would be (261.4-261.4)*100/261.4 = 0% and July (277-261.4)*100/261.4 = 2%

In case the base year 2011-100 is used in 7th CPC, then the linking factor will be changed to calculate the DA Value.

Minimum wage hike for unskilled labourers historic : Arun Jaitley

Minimum wage hike for unskilled labourers historic : Arun Jaitley

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the “historic hike” in minimum wages to Rs 350/day is a step forward in transforming India and labour reforms.

To appease trade unions, the government yesterday announced a 42 per cent increase in the minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers to Rs 350 per day from the current Rs 246.

Also, the government employees will be paid a wage bonus as per revised norms, for 2014-15 and 2015-16, a move that will entail a payout of Rs 1,920 crore.

“Historic hike in minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers to Rs 350/day is a step forward in Transforming India and labour reforms,” Jaitley tweeted.

The decision to pay bonus for years 2014-15 and 2015-16 on revised norms reiterates government’s “commitment to work for the benefit of workers”.

Trade unions, which are demanding minimum monthly wage of Rs 18,000 per month or Rs 692 a day and base pension of Rs 3,000 a month have said however that they would go ahead with the day-long strike on September 2.

The strike call is being supported by almost all major labour unions except RSS-affiliated BMS, and may impact banking and insurance services, power supplies and coal mining.

PTI

Issues arisen consequent upon 7th CPC recommendations and Government decisions

Issues arisen consequent upon 7th CPC recommendations and Government decisions

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055
Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No. IV/NFIR/7 CPC (Imp)/2016/MoF

Dated: 31/08/2016

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Dear Brother,
Sub: Issues arisen consequent upon 7th CPC recommendations and Government decisions -reg.
The affiliates are aware that the Indefinite Strike action from 11/07/2016 on Charter of demands mainly “minimum wage and multiplying factor” was deferred on official commitment given by the Government through Finance Ministry’s statement on 6th July, 2016 for constituting High Level Committee to examine the issues.

A committee under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Expenditure) with Joint Secretary (Pers), Joint Secretary (Estt), Joint Secretary (Imp) as its members will deal the issues raised through a memorandum of JCM (Staff Side), submitted to the Empowered Committee, among them the major issues are “upward revision of Minimum wage as well Multiplying Factor”.
The 1st introductory meeting chaired by Addl. Secretary (Exp) was held on 30th August, 2016 at North Block, New Delhi attended by myself, S/Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra & M.S. Raja. In the preamble, we tried to impress upon the Addl. Secretary (Exp) the need for revision of minimum wage and Multiplying factor formula on the basis of facts and merits already presented by JCM (Staff Side). After brief discussion, it was agreed that another meeting of the Committee will be fixed to be held in consultation with the JCM (Staff Side).

We also met Cabinet Secretary, Government of India thereafter and conveyed our disappointment over the delay in sorting out important issues. The Cabinet Secretary has stated that orders have since been issued by the Government for payment of Gratuity to the employees governed by the NPS. He said that the Government has also issued orders revising the salary calculation limit to Rs. 7000/- for payment of Bonus/PLB w.e.f. 2014. The Cabinet Secretary has also assured to positively consider remaining pending issues.

The affiliates may please note that a meeting between the Standing Committee of JCM (Staff Side) and the Committee Chaired by Finance Secretary (Expenditure) will take place on 1st September, 2016 at North Block, New Delhi. In the said meeting the issues pertaining to the negative recommendations of 7th CPC on allowances and advances will be dealt.

Yours fraternally

sd/-
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source : NFIR

Minimum wages a Cruel Joke, September 2 strike is on: CITU

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON MINIMUM WAGES Etc IS A MOCKERY AND DECEPTION COMBAT THROUGH MASSIVE STRIKE ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2016

CITU Press Statement

30th August 2016

The Group of Ministers headed by the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, and comprising Labour Minister, Petroleum Minister and Power Minister held a Press Conference today on 30th August 2016 to tell the nation that the Govt had accepted major demands of the trade unions and hence they should not go in for strike on 2nd September 2016. CITU considers the statement of the Govt nothing but a mockery meted out to workers.

The Statement of the Finance Minister that the Govt has accepted the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee is totally untrue. The Minimum Wage Advisory Committee met on 30th August 2016 at 3 pm and ended inconclusive while all the workers’ representatives reiterated their demand of Rs 18000/-. Such mis-statement by Govt is a deliberate ploy to mislead and confuse the workers before the strike.

Govt’s offer of a floor level minimum wage of Rs 350/- per day, i.e., Rs 9100/- per month (26 days) is cruel joke by the Govt making a posture of accepting the demands of workers. Trade unions reject such a mockery in the name of offer with the contempt it deserves.

Releasing previous year’s bonus for the central govt employees is not something about Govt’s magnanimity. Govt did so to implement the enhanced ceiling as per the Payment of Bonus Act for them, which they should have done much earlier. Now they have released in order to deceptively pose that the Govt has been considering so many things. So far as the court cases on implementation of Payment of Bonus Act is concerned, it is the responsibility of the central govt to defend and implement the Act passed by Parliament, for which they cannot claim any special credit. But this NDA Govt should better note that it is the BJP Govt in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc have withheld implementation of the Bonus Act for the year 2014-15 on their own citing the High Court Orders in Kerala and Karnataka which were not binding on them. That makes the real intention clear.

Govt also stated that they will issue advisory to state governments to ensure registration of trade unions within 45 days. Advisory is not having binding impact. What is required is to make statutory arrangement. But in their proposals on labour reforms, Govt has already put so many conditions that would make registering trade union virtually impossible.

On being asked in the press conference about the right to minimum wages for the central Govt Scheme workers like Anganwadi, Mid-day-meal, ASHA etc , The Finance Minister brushed the questioner aside saying that scheme workers are all volunteers and not workers. He must recall that the 46th Indian Labour Conference held during NDA regime has unanimously reiterated the recommendation of the previous ILC that the Scheme workers should be recognized as workers with right to minimum wages and attendant benefits.

The Minister further stated that the scheme workers will be covered by the Social Security benefits for which a committee will be constituted. Almost same statement was uttered by him one year before on 26-27 August 2015, prior to previous general strike. Nothing has been done yet. Rather ESIC has offered extremely partial ESI benefit to Anganwadi and mid-day-meal workers on payment of Rs 250/- per month which amounts to 8.33% of the paltry earning of the anganwadi workers, 16% of the anganwadi helpers and 25% of the mid-day-meal workers; whereas the workers covered by ESIC Act are to contribute 1.75% of their wage for full ESI benefit. Such proposal is dubiously designed to deny them the social security benefit and this deceptive game is going on.

In reality, Govt’s announcement in the press conference on the charter of demands of the workers is nothing but a hoax and must be rejected outright. This is game to confuse and mislead people just on the eve of strike. Such deceptive and dubious ploy of the Govt must be combated through making the 2nd September 2016 a massive success.

Source: CITU Centre

7th Pay Commission: No revised pay yet for military personnel - The Hindu

7th Pay Commission: No revised pay yet for military personnel - The Hindu

The seventh Pay Commission recommendations will be reflected in this month’s salary for central government employees that would be remitted on Wednesday, but not for the military personnel.

According to military sources, their new salaries are yet to be notified as the notification implementing the Seventh Pay Commission has not yet been issued by the Defence Ministry.

This is because the three service chiefs have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar seeking their intervention to fix the anomalies expressed by the military which remain unaddressed despite several representations to the empowered committee and assurances from Mr. Parrikar.
The key demands of the services include Non Functional Upgrade, NFU pay fixation, Military Service Pay (MSP) and common pay matrix for civil and military.

Read at: The Hindu

Government hikes minimum wage; Unions stick to Sept 2 strike call

Government hikes minimum wage; Unions stick to Sept 2 strike call

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who heads an informal group of ministers constituted to address labour issues, said the minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers will be hiked to Rs 350 per day from the current Rs 246.

Seeking to dissuade labour unions from a nationwide strike on September 2, the government today announced 42 percent minimum wage hike and a two-year bonus, but the trade bodies rejected these measures as "completely inadequate" and stuck to their call.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who heads an informal group of ministers constituted to address labour issues, said the minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers will be hiked to Rs 350 per day from the current Rs 246. Also, the government employees will be paid a wage bonus as per revised norms, for 2014-15 and 2015-16, a move that will entail a payout of Rs 1,920 crore. Other 'labour-friendly' moves included amendment in the Payment of Bonus Act and government support the cause of unions in high courts and the Supreme Court.

The government also said that it will issue advisories to states for ensuring completion of trade union registration within 45 days. The trade unions, who are demanding minimum monthly wage of Rs 18,000 per month or Rs 692 a day and base pension of Rs 3,000 a month, were not impressed by the government's move and said they would go ahead with the day-long general strike on Friday.

The strike call is being supported by almost all major labour unions except RSS-affiliated BMS, and may impact banking and insurance services, power supplies and coal mining. "The government's minimum wage announcement is completely inadequate. The strike stands and we demand they should enact a law to fix minimum (universal) wage," All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said. "Finance Minister's statement clearly shows that the government has not considered any of the demands in our 12- point charter. The unions have no other alternative but to fight for their rights," Indian National Trade Union Congress Vice-President Ashok Singh said.

via money control