In Kerala circle, payment of Ex-gratia and Leave Encashment have been denied to some of the employees, who recently retired under the VRS. Similarly, promotion under NEPP has also been denied. All these are being done, on the plea of pendency of a court case, which has arisen out of a private complaint. The guidelines already laid down by the DoP&T on this matter, categorically states that, a court case, which has arisen out of a private complaint, should not become the grounds for the denial of terminal benefits. Hence, CHQ has written to the Sr.GM(Estt.), requesting to intervene in this matter and to issue necessary guideline to the CGM, Kerala circle. CHQ will follow up the case to it's logical conclusion.

Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, spoke to Shri P.K. Purwar, CMD BSNL, today and urged upon him to ensure immediate allotment of funds for the payment of wages of the contract workers. The CMD BSNL replied that he would try to release the funds. Following this telephonic conversation, BSNLEU has also written letter to the CMD BSNL, urging upon him to lift the families of the contract workers, out from starvation.

The DoP&T has issued guideline, stating that Persons with Disabilities are to be exempted from attending office during the period wherein restrictions have been imposed by the government, to contain the spread of COVID-19. BSNLEU has demanded that the Corporate Office should endorse this letter to the CGMs, so that relief is given to the Persons with Disabilities.

In the wake of the 21 day "Lockdown" imposed by the government a spree of retrenchments, wage cut, forced unpaid leave etc., are being done by the employers on the workers, particularly contract/casual/temporary/fixed term workers in various establishments. Similarly, harassment of frontline workers by the police and harassment of migrant workers by them are also rampantly taking place. The Central Trade Unions have written to Shri Santosh Gangwar, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, demanding suitable action.

BSNL administrative offices are closed down for a period of thee weeks from 24.03.2020. This has resulted in delay in the processing of pension papers of those retiring on 31.03.2020. The close-down is likely to be extended also. Hence, BSNLEU has written to the Member (Finance), DoT, demanding sanctioning of provisional pension as an interim measure.

The LIC premium amount deducted from the salaries of the employees has not been remitted to the LIC, from May, 2019 onwards. While the premium amount of the VRS optees has already been remitted to the LIC, the premium amount of the employees who are in service, is yet to be remitted. In the backdrop of COVID-19 spreading fast, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding to remit the deducted amount to the LIC without further delay.

In the backdrop of instructions issued by the Labour Ministry and Finance Ministry, directing that the contract workers should not face wage loss, on account of restrictions being imposed to contain the spread of Corona Virus, BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding to immediately pay the 10 month wage arrears of the contract workers.

The DoP&T and the DPE have already issued instructions to be followed to contain the spread of Corona Virus. However, BSNL specific instructions are yet to be issued by the Corporate Office. BSNLEU has written to the CMD BSNL, demanding to immediately issue such instructions. BSNLEU has also demanded that all such activities like Mela, Road Shows, etc., which make employees susceptible to Corona Virus infection, should be discontinued till the situation improves.