Budget curtailment leads to retrenchment of contract workers BSNLCCWF holds nationwide protest on 7th January.

The decision of the BSNL Corporate Office to curtail the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) budget has led to large-scale retrenchment of contract workers across various circles. During the Circle Heads’ meeting, discussions on staff cost reduction resulted in the CBB Section issuing orders for budget curtailment, forcing circles to drastically reduce expenditure on contract labour. As a consequence, contract workers engaged in essential services such as Electrical Wings, Housekeeping, and Security have been severely affected. Even after earlier reductions, the Finance Section issued another order on 08.12.2025, further reducing the wages of contract workers and discontinuing the payment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to casual labourers. This has aggravated the already precarious condition of these workers. The BSNLCCWF reviewed these alarming developments in its Central Secretaries’ meeting held in November 2025 and decided to observe a nationwide protest day on 7th January 2025. In accordance with this decision, demonstrations were successfully organised by contract and casual workers in several circles, including Kerala, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Tripura, Maharashtra and Kolkata. Despite repeated representations submitted by BSNLCCWF to the Director (HR), PGM (Estt), and PGM (Admn), no concrete relief has been forthcoming so far. In view of the continued apathy of the management and the worsening condition of contract and casual workers, the BSNLCCWF has decided to intensify the struggle. As part of the next course of action, the union will approach the Chief Labour Commissioner and the Chairman of the Standing Committee, seeking their immediate intervention to protect the livelihood and rights of the affected contract and casual workers.