The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) denounces the Government’s announcement of allowing 49 per cent FDI in the country’s national carrier – Air India. Modi Govt had already decided to push Air India for wholesale privatization. And to expedite such privatization move, the Govt has now made this announcement of permitting 49 per cent FDI. Actually, this is nothing but complete foreignisation of the national carrier – a public sector company with its huge asset base and a high-revenue earning international service network.

The Govt of the day is making the plea of huge loss the Air India is being burdened with to justify privatisation. But the Govt seeks to hide the fact that Air India has been pushed to this situation not because of its management’s failure but owing to imposition of disastrous decision on the company by successive governments at the Centre like hasty merger of Indian Airlines and Air India; forcible procurement of huge fleet of aircrafts from foreign companies through direct purchase at an in-opportune time thereby imposing on the company an unbearable burden of indebtedness leading to loss. Despite such reckless and imprudent misadventure and subsequent hurdles imposed by the successive Govts, including the current one through the concerned Ministry, Air India struggled to come back to operating profit for last three years. Despite that, the present Govt decided to privatise the national carrier, and to hasten up the process, the door is now widely opened for the foreign companies to take over. Such destructive decision is being pursued by the Govt despite the concerned Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, comprising of representatives of all the political parties including BJP, unanimously recommending not to privatise Air India, at least for three years more while helping it for speed up its improvement which has already set in. When privatization, rather foreignisation of national assets becomes the main goal of the Govt, then such destructive decision of foreignisation of national carrier is being taken by the Govt completely unconcerned of the national interests. CITU vehemently condemns such destructive move.

Equally destructive is the decision of the Govt of allowing 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail trade, which in the background of fast corporatization of the retail trade sector has already been putting existing decentralized retail trade sector in severe difficulties and crisis. Allowing 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail trade will further increase the hardship of traditional retail trade sector which is the second biggest livelihood giver after agriculture and expedite the ruin of the traditional retail trade sector.

CITU condemns these destructive and reckless decisions on FDI, which are destined to damage the national economy and reduce employment, and calls upon the working class to build up determined resistance against such deliberate exercise towards degeneration of the national economy and peoples’ livelihood both through sectoral and nationwide united struggle.

Issued by,
TAPAN SEN
General Secretary

The Secretariat of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, in session in New Delhi expresses its shock over the sudden demise of Com. N.M. Sundaram, one of the senior leaders of Indian Trade Union movement and especially that of the Insurance Workers Movement today on 26.12.2017 at Chennai. He was 80.

Com. Sundaram, had led the All India Insurance Employees Association, in various capacities including that of the General Secretary for Sixteen years and President for six years. He had played a major role in the struggle of the Indian Working people against privatization and other disastrous impacts of neo liberal economic policies. He was a prolific writer and orator and had written articles and books on various aspects of neoliberal economic policies.

CITU pays its homage to the memory of Com. Sundaram and also conveys condolences to his family members and to the Comrades of AIIEA.

(TAPAN SEN)
General Secretary

DEMANDS STRINGENT ACTION ON THE EMPLOYER BY STATE/CENTRAL GOVT
AND APPRORIATE COMPENSATION TO THE VICTIMS

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions expresses shock and vehemently condemns the indiscriminate firing on the tea garden workers by the Tea Garden Owner on 13^th December 2017 which is reported by the media.

It is learnt that the workers of Bogidhala Tea Estate in Golaghat district of Assam have not been getting their earned wages since long despite continuously working in the Garden. On that fateful day a section of workers went to the Bunglow-Office of the Tea Garden Owners to press for payment of their earned wage pending since long putting the workers in virtual starvation and distress. The arrogant tea garden owner suddenly opened fire on the assembled workers, squatting peacefully before the Bunglow without any provocation injuring at least twenty workers. The injured workers have been rushed to Jorhat Medical College Hospital and at least five of the injured workers are in extremely critical condition.

It is most deplorable that the workers have to face bullets from the garden-owner for demanding their unpaid earned wages for the work already done; non-payment of earned wages to workers on time is a serious offence on the part of the employers. The workers and their unions have been complaining against such non-payment and irregular payment since long. But the Govt, both in the state of Assam and in the centre have not taken any action against the defaulting employer, may be owing to their over-occupation in ensuring “ease of doing business”. This enthusiasm of the BJP government over “ease of doing business” has emboldened the employer to such an alarming  degree, that while deliberately defaulting in regular payment of wages to workers, they launched murderous assault on the workers demanding their legitimate earned wage. This is nothing but a criminal offence on the part of the concerned tea-garden owners. Such attacks have now, particularly under the new state government, become a regular phenomenon on the tea garden workers in Assam, who contribute almost half of the tea production in the country.

CITU strongly denounces such anti-worker attitude of both the tea garden owners and the Govts conniving with the employers in repressing and looting the workers. CITU demands immediate arrest of the tea garden owners and initiation of stringent action for their criminal and murderous offence. CITU also demands immediate release of payment of all pending wages to the workers and adequate compensation to all the injured workers, many of them are lying in critical condition.

(Tapan Sen)
General Secretary

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) condemns the barbaric murder of an innocent migrant worker Afrazul, from Malda district of West Bengal, in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan on 6 December by axing and burning alive; and videographing and uploading the episode in social media as an act of bravery against the purported love jihad'. The killing of innocent minorities, to foment communal hatred and division, has repeatedly been taking place in the country, more so in Rajasthan, since BJP came to power at the Centre. The Rajasthan State government is guilty of ignoring Supreme Court's order, on protecting the innocents against such attacks and appointing nodal police officers in all districts. Instead, police in Rajasthan is busy in cover up exercise of such attacks. Another vital issue involved in the gruesome murder of  Afrazul is about protection of safety, rights and livelihood of migrant workers, both inside and outside the country, which have become important issues of the trade union movement at national, international levelS and in ILO. CITU demands of Rajasthan government to immediately arrest the culprits, involved in the murder of the migrant worker   Afrazul and in the hate propaganda through social media; adequate compensation to the bereaved family; implementation of Apex Court's order against such attacks and measures to protect all migrant workers in the State.

Tapan Sen
General Secretary

The Secretariat of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has issued the following Statement.

Venkatesh, a 29 year young worker of DCIL and the lone bread-earner of the family of two sisters and parents, committed suicide on 4 December, 2017 in protest against Modi Government's decision to Completely privatise the Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCIL) with headquarter at Visakhapatnam. In a delegation, Vankatesh met the local BJP M.P and BJP MLA and urged their intervention against privatisation of DCIL. But, shockingly, both of them refused on the ground that BJP's Central Government had already taken decision to privatise DCIL. In a Suicide note Venkatesh accused Modi Government for its decision to privatise DCIL and local BJP MP and BJP MLA for their refusal to intervene as the reason for his frustration and Suicide. Despite protests and representation by CITU and other trade unions, the Government decided to privatise DCIL. The Workers and the executives of DCL hace since Were Conducting joint agitation demanding reversal of the decision of privatization of DCIL. It is very important to note that the financial performance of DCIL is excellent in that it has been earning profit, generated huge assets including liquidity. Therefore, handing over DCIL to private business is a criminal compromise with the economic strength and interest of the nation and is yet another instance of transferring national asset to private capital by the corporates captive Modi Government. Service to the nation, provided by the DCIL, is better testified from the fact that DCIL has been maintaining our national maritime and navigational facilities of waterways catering yeoman services to all the major and minor ports in the Country, thereby, facilitating international trade and cargo movement. In fact, DCIL was created under public sector to deliver dredging service to the nation to keep the ports as well as channels navigable to facilitate smooth movement of vessels with larger draft. Moreover, DCL has also successfully expanded its dredging services beyond the Country's boundary and has been earning precious foreign exchange executing foreign Orders. CITU condemns Modi Government, being responsible for the shocking Suicide of Venkatesh; demands reversal of the privatization decision of DCIL, demands adequate compensation to the family of deceased and employment to a member of the family. CITU extends full support and solidarity to the ongoing and forthcoming struggle of the DCIL Workers and executives and appeals to the Working class to extend Solidarity with the DCIL Workers.

Swadesh Dev Roye
Secretary, CITU

Dated 05.12.2017

The Hon’ble Minister of Finance
Government of India
North Block,
New Delhi, 110 001

Sub: Trade unions view point on issues to be considered for framing budget for the year 2018-19

Sir,

To start with, we urge you to take the views presented jointly by the trade unions and incorporate them in the budget proposals so that this meeting would be meaningful. We request you not to convert this meeting into a mere a ritual.

Please recall that the Group of Ministers headed by you had an inconclusive discussion with the trade unions on the 12 point charter of demands of the working people of the country, in August 2015. The GoM did not resume the discussions despite requests from the central trade unions. The discussion the Labour Minister held with the central trade unions on 7th November 2017 did not yield any results.

Hence, we feel compelled to reiterate our demands again and present our views as follows:

• Increase budgetary allocations for social sector: The government should increase allocations on social sector and basic essential services like health, education, food security etc in the Union Budget. The necessary financial resources should be raised internally by taxing the rich who have the capacity to pay.
• Effective measures against deliberate tax and loan repayment defaults: Effective and firm measures should be taken against deliberate tax default by the big business and corporate lobby to curtail the huge accumulation of unpaid taxes, which have been continuously increasing. Further, wilful default should be made a criminal offence, the list of wilful defaulters should be made public and stringent measures such as fast track Debt Recovery Tribunals should be implemented.
• Minimum wage: Minimum wage fixed on the basis of the recommendations of the 15th Indian Labour Conference and the Supreme Court judgment in Raptakos & Brett case and linked to Consumer Price Index, should be guaranteed to all workers. The 7th Pay Commission has worked this to be Rs 18000 per month, which the government has accepted. Hence, the minimum wage should not be less than Rs 18000 per month, which has been the common demand of all the central trade unions. Need based minimum wage should be considered as an essential part of social security.
• Resolve demands of the Government employees regarding 7th Pay Commission: All the pending demands of the Government employees in centre and states in regard to 7th pay commission be resolved within time frame including arrears of allowances with effect from 01.01.2016. The autonomous bodies be included into for all the benefits of the 7th pay commission.
• Price rise: The prices of essential commodities, particularly of food items have been spiralling making it impossible for the workers and other toiling people to meet their basic daily needs. Speculative forward trading and hoarding are major factors contributing to the price rise. The government should ban speculative forward trading in essential commodities, take strong measures to curtail hoarding and strengthen Public Distribution System, making it universal. Stop the system of cash transfer to beneficiaries’ accounts in lieu of PDS

The Finance Minister held Pre Budget 2018 discussion with the representatives of central trade unions on 5^th December 2018. Representatives of all the central trade unions attended the meeting. CITU was represented by its president Hemalata.

The central trade unions jointly presented their views in a note to the Finance Minister. In her intervention Hemalata demanded that the Group of Ministers constituted under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister in 2015 to discuss the demands raised by the trade unions should continue discussions with them and resolve their demands. Instead of focussing on improving ‘ease of doing business’ to benefit the corporates, the government should focus on improving India’s position in ‘Global hunger index’ and closing down the ‘gender gap’ This should be done by increasing allocations for social sector including health and education, to the ICDS, National Health Mission, Midday Meal Programme etc that serve the poor, particularly women and children. ILC recommendations on recognising ‘scheme workers’ as ‘workers’, paying minimum wages to them etc should be implemented.

The government should take strict measures against tax default by big business and corporates. It should focus on employment generation increasing public expenditure on infrastructure. All vacant posts in various government departments including railways etc should be filled up by fresh recruitment. The necessary financial resources should be generated by taxing the rich who have the capacity to pay.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions expresses profound grief at the sudden demise of Com Sukomal Sen, a veteran as well as a stalwart in the country’s working class movement, today at 10 am after prolonged illness. He was 83.

Com Sukomal Sen is one of those veterans in the working class and employees’ movement in the country who contributed immensely both ideologically and organizationally in building broadest unity of the working people and also channelizing the movement in the track of class orientation consistently exposing the successive policy regimes under the capitalist order through its various phases. He was one of the frontline organizers of the state govt employees movement not only in West Bengal but in other states of the country and he was one of the founder leaders of the All India State Govt Employees Federation (AISGEF) since its birth in 1960 and led the Federation as its General Secretary From 1982 to 2008. He was Senior Vice Chairman of AISGEF till his demise.

Along with discharging his leading role in Govt employees’ movement, Comrade Sen was also active in organizing, leading and guiding the trade unions in other sectors as well. He had been the national working committee member of CITU for decades and was elected Vice President of CITU from its national conference at Chandigarh in 2010 and served in that position since 2016 and was elected permanent invitee to CITU national secretariat from its 15th Conference held in Puri in November 2016.

Comrade Sen had been a popular personality in international trade union movement as well. His debut in the international trade union sphere had been with his active contribution in the Directive Committee of the Trade Union International of Public and Allied Employees in 1982 at Prague. In 1996 he was elected General Secretary of TUI Public & Allied Service and played frontline role in leading and coordinating the movement and activities of Govt and public sector employees till he relinquished that position in 2009.

He also played a leading role in championing the cause of working people as Parliamentarian during his 12 years stint as a Member of Rajya Sabha during 1982 to 1994.

Besides playing a frontline role as organizer and leader of the movement of the working class in the field, he also made signal contribution intellectually in the sphere of enriching ideological content of the working class movement. He was a scholarly writer and was the author of ‘Working Class In India-History of Emergence of Movement (1830-2000)”(translated in various Indian languages), “May Day and Eight Hours Struggle in India”, “Communist Manifesto and the Theory of Revolution- a 150th Anniversary Tribute”, “The History of All India State Govt Employees Federation”, “International Working Class Movement-Dynamics of Class Struggle Vs Class Collaboration” outlining the history of World Federation of Trade Unions since its foundation congress in 1945 to World Congress 2011. He also authored books on numerous other subjects viz., on Question of Culture and Social Revolution in Indian Society, Caste Religion and Indian Society, Fascism etc and had been a regular contributor to various journals on political-ideological issues published both in India and abroad. He had been the Editor of the “Employees Forum” the Organ of the All India State Govt Employees Federation since its birth in 1979 for over three decades. And his latest contribution is the two volume book on the subject of October Revolution and its aftermath published recently.

Comrade Sukomal Sen, throughout his active life had been a Communist and displayed his commitment the ideology of revolution in all his activities in all fronts. He had been Central Committee member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for decades till his demise as ex-officio.

With Comrade Sukomal Sen’s demise, the country lost a stalwart leader of the Working Class movement as well as a Scholar Visionary and a great teacher. At present juncture of the working class movement facing tremendous physical as well as ideological offensives, Comrade Sen’s absence is an irreparable loss.

CITU dips its flag in respect to the memory of the departed leader and conveys heartfelt condolence to all the comrades and his bereaved family members.

Tapan Sen 
On behalf of the CITU Secretariat

· Modi government’s policies and failures are responsible for Price Rise
· Countrywide Protest by Workers Against Price Rise on 13 December 2017

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) calls upon the working people throughout the country, its units and affiliated unions of the workers to register countrywide protest against the continuing price rise on 13 December 2017, in every industrial centre, city, town and rural areas by staging demonstrations.

Modi government’s policies are entirely responsible for this price rise, inflicting huge sufferings and miseries on the workers and other sections of toiling masses. In fact, prices are not just increasing; they are being made to increase through policy drive of the Govt to benefit middlemen, big traders, black-marketeers and speculators. This is also an integral part of their policy of “ease of doing business” which is synonymous to “ease of looting the people”.

Despite fraudulent showcasing of fall of price indices occasionally by the Govt, in reality, prices of all essential commodities including food grains, vegetables, transport and health services, medicines, education etc have been consistently increasing; the targeted public distribution system has been made to virtually collapse in most of the states; various conditionalities imposed including AADHAR linkage on everything deprives larger section of poorer population from the PDS, mocking at the Food Security Act. Price of petroleum and diesel has been increasing in regular interval and LPG subsidy is being cut despite decline and/or virtual stagnation of crude oil price in international market generating cascading effect on prices of all essential commodities. On the other hand farmers are not getting the remunerative price of their produce which is way below the ruling prices of food grains and other agri-products in the market. And in the midst of such horrifying syndrome of rising prices, speculation in commodity market is going on creating big fortune for corporate traders and speculators. Demonetisation followed by GST has added further fuel to fire of price-rise. It is not without reason that under Modi’s rule, the country’s position is going up in “ease of doing business” index simultaneously pushing the country down in respect of “Hunger” index.

While continuing price rise is putting the mass of the common people in unimaginable miseries making human survival difficult and causing death due to hunger, the Govt of the day is further adding to their miseries by depriving them with proper minimum wage. All welfare expenditure including on MGNREGA is drastically cut down, as reflected in the sharp decline in work days available under MGNREGA throughout the country.

In this background, CITU calls upon the working class to intensify countrywide campaign against the grossly inhuman policy of the Modi Govt in promoting price-rise for the benefit of big-business-trader-speculator combine and launch militant demonstration as widespread as possible on 13th December 2017 and burning the effigy of the Modi-Govt.
Issued by

(Tapan Sen)
General Secretary

The unprecedented joint trade union ‘mahapadav’ of workers concluded in the evening of 11th November 2017 with a clarion call to the working class of the country to intensify the struggle against the anti worker, anti people and anti national policies of the BJP led government.

The huge mass of workers who gathered from all over the country and from all sectors of the economy enthusiastically endorsed the unanimous call of the leadership of the joint trade union movement, made in the light of the 8th August 2017 national convention, to prepare for an indefinite country wide general strike if the government does not change tack and heed the voice of the working class. The trade unions decided to chalk out a prolonged course of agitations and actions towards that objective.

The string of actions will start with district level joint conventions to be completed by the first week of January 2018 followed by joint ‘Satyagraha’/ courting of arrest at the district headquarters in the last week of January. The common date for the courting of arrest in all districts in the state will be decided by the joint meeting of the state leadership of the trade unions.