BSNLEU has already demanded that one dependent from the families of the BSNL employees, who had died due to COVID-19, should be provided with Compassionate Ground Appointments. This has also emerged as the unanimous view of the unions and associations, which participated in the meeting called on by the Management on 06.05.2021. Under these circumstances, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (Income Tax) has issued letter for providing Compassionate Ground Appointments to the families of the Covid victims. In view of this, BSNLEU has once again written to the CMD BSNL, reiterating it's demand that Compassionate Ground Appointment should be provided to the families of the Covid victims.

Despite BSNLEU continuously pressing hard on the Management for the disbursement of salary on the due date, salary for the month of April, 2021 is not yet disbursed. Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the major festivals in our country, is falling on 14th of this month. Apart from causing much financial hardship to the employees, non-disbursement of salary will hurt the sentiments of the employees since it will deprive them of the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, strongly demanding that, the salary should be disbursed latest by tomorrow. 

A Formal Meeting between the Director (HR) and BSNLEU, has been scheduled to be held on 17^th May, 2021, to discuss important staff issues. However, due to the surge of COVID-19, lock downs and restrictions on travelling,etc., have been imposed in Delhi, as well as in many other states. In view of these, BSNLEU has written to the Director (HR), demanding to hold the 17^th May meeting as an online meeting.

Telecommunications has been declared as an essential service. Hence, BSNL's field staff are being directed to work even during the times of lock down. The entire CSC staff of BSNL are being directed to attend office even when the government ordered that only 50% employees should attend office. As a result of the above instructions, a large number of BSNL employees are infected with COVID-19. Around 100 employees have died so far. Hence, BSNLEU is demanding that, BSNL employees should be treated as Frontline Workers and should be vaccinated on a priority basis. In this connection, BSNLEU has already written a letter to the Hon’ble Minister on 02.03.2021. Since, no action has been taken, BSNLEU has now written to the CMD BSNL, urging upon him to take up the issue at the appropriate level of the government.

Communicating the unanimous views of the Unions and Associations, regarding providing relief to the families of the Covid victims, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL. Apart from providing relief to the families of Covid victims, the Unions and Associations have also unanimously demanded the following:

1. Management should promptly make disbursement of salary to the employees on the due date. April, 2021 salary should be disbursed without further delay. 
2. The BSNL Management should fulfill it’s obligation of contributing 30% Superannuation Benefits to the BSNL recruitees.
3. Pension and EPF deductions, together with the employers’ contribution, should be promptly remitted by the Management.

BSNLEU has taken the best efforts to get the April, 2021 salary paid on the due date. However, as in the past, the BSNL Management is determined not to pay salary to the employees on the due date. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, cautioning that, it would be constrained to take legal action, for getting payment of simple interest, at the rate of 6%, for the belated disbursement of salary.

It is learnt that around 75 BSNL officials have so far died due to COVID-19. Among them, a sizeable number of employees are youngsters. Management has proposed that, contributions could be collected from employees, to give financial assistance to the families of the victims. BSNLEU has already suggested that the Management should provide at least Rs.5 lakh as it’s contribution to each of the families of the officials who died due to COVID-19. However, financial assistance will only be a temporary relief. Providing Compassionate Ground Appointments to the dependents of the Covid victims will alone provide livelihood to them. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL demanding immediate steps for providing Compassionate Ground Appointments to the families of the victims of COVID-19.

BSNLEU has already demanded that a compensation of Rs.10 lakh should be paid to the dependents of the BSNL employees who die due to COVID-19. This demand of BSNLEU is based on instructions already issued by the DoT, wherein it is stated that a compensation of Rs.10 lakh should be paid to the family of the employee who dies in accident while on duty.  However, the BSNL Management has so far not accepted this. Hence, BSNLEU has once again written to the CMD BSNL, urging upon him to immediately take the decision for the payment of compensation.

COVID-19 is spreading at an alarming rate throughout the country. Every day, more than 3.5 lakh new Covid cases are being reported in the country.  BSNL employees and their family members are also getting affected by this dreadful disease. Government hospitals are overflowing with Covid patients. Hence, BSNL employees have to rely upon private hospitals only.  However, private hospitals are demanding hefty amounts as advance. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the Director (HR), demanding to take emergent steps to allot funds, for sanctioning emergency medical advance to BSNL employees.

The MoU signed between BSNL Management and the Canara Bank, for extending various bank loans to the employees has expired on 31.12.2019. BSNLEU has already written to the Sr.GM(CBB), Corporate Office, for taking necessary action for the early renewal of the MoU. However, the Corporate Office so far has not renewed the MoU. Hence, BSNLEU has once again written to the Sr.GM(CBB) to take appropriate action.