THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions, in a statement issued on November 28, has extended full support and solidarity to the programme of indefinite strike by all employees and officers from December 3, at the call of the All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) demanding allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, wage revision for all which has fallen long overdue, revision of pension from January 1, 2017 and other demands.

The wage revision for employees and officers of BSNL is their existing right which is being sought to be taken away and denied by the government on the plea of DPE recommendation which is totally untenable. In fact the concerned minister had himself committed for commencement of wage negotiation for the employees and after commencement of negotiation and its progress, the ministry went back from its commitment. Owing to dedicated services by employees and officers, BSNL has been consistently earning operating profit in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 and the wage revision has fallen due for employees and officers since 1-1-2017.   Upward revision of pension has also fallen due from January 1, 2017 which follows from the revised wage pattern itself.

The BSNL employees also demanded allotment of 4G spectrum for BSNL which is being delayed deliberately by the government to allow advantage to the private telecom operators at the cost of BSNL. The unions and associations of BSNL have long been pursuing this demand which demonstrates their commitment to the company whereas the government’s dilly-dallying on this issue exposes its design of sabotaging the interests of the public sector BSNL in order to benefit the private telecom operators mostly run in partnership with foreign companies. While fighting for this demand, the employees and officers are upholding national interests which deserves support from all concerned.

CITU extends solidarity with the forthcoming united indefinite strike action by employees and officers of BSNL and calls upon the trade union movement and workers of all affiliations to extend their support to the determined struggles of the BSNL employees.

CITU also demands upon the government to see reasons and concede to the just demands of the employees and officers of BSNL who are actual contributors to BSNL’s earning operating profit during the last four years, in the interests of all concerned.