Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Strike Notice

20th August 2008

ALL INDIA STRIKE

Confederation and ITEF Serve Strike notice

 

STRIKE ACTION AGAINST THE
NEO-LIBERAL ECNOMIC POLICIES

OF THE GOVT. OF INDIA

 

ENTIRE WORKING CLASS IN THE COUNTRY

PARTICIPATE

 

demanding

Control inflation- contain price rise ;Implement  labour laws; Stop Contractorisation ; introduce Social security Scheme for all workers; extend loan waiver Scheme to those taken loans from private money lenders; lift ban on recruitment in Govt. services; expedite wage negotiation in respect of PSU workers;expedite implementation of 6th CPC recommendation accepting the modifications suggested by the employees; afford right to strike to all Govt. employees; withdraw the new contributory Pension Scheme; stop Privatization of the Govt. departments; Regularize all GDS employees as civil Servants.    
 

The message of 20th August Strike.

On 20th August, the Indian Working Class will organize yet another one day Strike action against the neo liberal economic policies pursued by the Indian ruling class, since 1991. The Strike is in the midst of an unprecedented inflation and price rise experienced by the Indian Economy second perhaps only to  the 1973 impact. The inability of the Govt. to contain the price rise is understandable for it is triggered by the phenomenal increase in the international market not only of crude oil but also of various other commodities. Due to the systematic efforts on the part of the successive Government that came to power since 1991, Indian economy stands presently integrated with the world market.  No effort on the part of the Govt. (whatever happening being insincere and cosmetic) will go to dent the upward rise of prices of the commodities of basic human consumption as the profit for the monopoly houses and TNCs is to be garnered from the poor people. 

It may be recalled that the stark rise of inflation in 1973-74 which touched about 20-25% led to the fall of Mrs. Indira Gandhi's Government which came to power with a 2/3rd voting strength in the Parliament.  The second oil shock in 1979-80 which brought about 17% rise in the rate of inflation accentuated the downfall of the Janatha Government. We are steadily coasting towards that magic figure and to the same eventuality.

            The Prime Minister has been publicly advised by the media controlled by the monopoly houses and his own political and economic advisors that in the context of the double digit inflation, which has refused to come down or which cannot be brought down, the 6th CPC recommendations are not to be implemented for it shall stock the inflationary fire further.  The realignment of political forces behind the Indian National Congress and the success it tasted in winning a confidence vote through all sorts of nefarious machinations will embolden the Government to push through the infamous pension reform bill in the coming session of the Parliament. The financial sector reforms which could not be carried out in the last four years due to the principled stand of  the left parties both inside and outside Parliament will now be brought for the consideration of the Parliament.  That was the open statement of the Finance Minister.

 

            The Indian National Congress which could not muster sufficient number of members in the Parliament to become the ruling party in the last election had to seek and obtain the support of the left parties on a solemn assurance that it will carry out the governance of the country on an agreed common minimum programme.    However, that Party, in whose name the Indian people fought the glorious battle for independence from the British imperialism, had no qualms to ditch the left parties for the sake of signing an agreement with the US imperialism for both political and economic subjugation of the country in the name of the nuclear deal is the irony of today. The 20th August strike assumes significance and importance in that context.  It is not only therefore yet another action on the part of the working class against the IMF/World bank dictated economic policies of globalization and liberalization but should be construed as a revolutionary beginning for the real independence of our homeland.  That is the message we are to convey to jour rank and file of our members while campaigning for the 20th August Strike.

 

INCOME TAX EMPLOYEES FEDERATION,

Manishinath Bhawan,

A/2/95, Rajouri Garden,

New Delhi 110 027

Telephone No : 2510 5324 Telefax 2513 1593

Mobile 98110 48303

e-mail : itef@sify.com

 

                                                                                                        Dated: 4th August, 2008 

 

To

The Chairman,

Central Board of Direct Taxes,

North Block,

New Delhi -110-001

 

 

Dear Sir,

 

 

            This is to give notice that the employees who are members of the Income-tax Employees Federation  will go on a day's strike on 20th August, 2008.  The Demands in pursuance of which the employees will embark upon the one day strike action is enclosed.

 

            Thanking you,

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

K.K.N.Kutty,

Secretary General.

 

Enclosure, Charter of Demands.

 

 The demands adopted by National convention of Central and State Government employees and University, college and School teachers on 8th July, 2008

 

  1. Accept the modifications suggested by the Staff Side JCM in the Standing Committee meeting held on 7th May, 2008 and implement the 6th CPC recommendations accordingly.
  2. Afford right to strike to Government employees
  3. Withdraw the new contributory Pension scheme and extend the existing defined benefit pension scheme to all Govt. employees including those recruited after 1.1.2004.
  4. Stop privatization, corporatisation and downsizing of Government department and abandon the neo-liberal economic policies.

 

The Demands adopted in National Convention of Trade Unions on 13 May 2008

  1. Take urgent step to contain price-rise through (a) universalizing the public distribution system throughout the country to cater all essential commodities at controlled price through PDS, (b) ban on futures and forward trading in all essential commodities, (C) reduction of tax in petrol and diesel, (d) stringent action against hoarding and black marketing.
  2. Strict implementation of all labour laws particularly in respect of minimum wages, working hours, social security and safety and stringent action against all cases of violations; stop contractorisation and outsourcing
  3. Scope of the Unorganized Sector Workers Social Security Bill pending in Parliament should be expanded to cover all unorganized sector workers irrespective of BPL or APL category to ensure a national minimum social security benefit for them as per unanimous recommendation of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector (NCEUS) and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour with Central Govt. Funding.
  4. Farmers Loan Waiver Scheme to be extended to loans from private moneylenders; nationalized banks to extend easy credit to peasants at lower interest rate.
  5. Lift ban on recruitment in Govt. services; remove the negative and discriminatory features in the recommendation of 6th Pay Commission and finalize the same for implementation in consultation with the employees organizations; expedite regularization and grant of pension to 'gramin dak-sevaks.'
  6. Expedite wage negotiation for the employees of Central PSUs including the contract workers without any conditionality.