BSNLEU has called on the employees to go on one day strike, tomorrow the 16.02.2024. The strike is being organised demanding immediate settlement of  the burning issues of the  employees, viz., Wage Revision, 4G & 5G to BSNL, New Promotion Policy, Review of the Restructuring of Manpower, Pension Revision, demands of the contract workers and other issues. The CHQ leaders have addressed meetings in almost all circles and have geared up the employees. Once again the CHQ calls upon the circle and district unions to take the last minute efforts to fully mobilise the employees in the strike and to make it successful.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has already delivered judgement on 26.07.2023, directing the DoT to issue Presidential Orders to the employees recruited by the DoT and sent for training prior to the formation of BSNL, i.e., 01.10.2000. It is going to be 7 months since the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India had delivered the judgement. However, the DoT has not implemented the judgement so far. BSNLEU has already written letters to the DoT on 31.07.2023 and 25.10.2023, demanding the DoT to implement the judgement. Once again, BSNLEU has written a letter to the Secretary, Telecom, today demanding early implementation of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

The renewal of the Group Term Insurance (GTI) scheme is due w.e.f. 01.03.2024. To finalise the terms and conditions for the renewal of the GTI scheme, two rounds of discussions were held in the BSNL Corporate Office between BSNL Management, LIC and representatives of the unions & associations. The first round was held on 05.02.2024 and the second round was held on 07.02.2024. On behalf of BSNLEU, Com.Ashwin Kumar, Organising Secretary (CHQ), participated in both these discussions. The LIC representatives demanded that, the premium should be increased from Rs.1.60/- per Rs.1,000/- to Rs.3 per Rs.1,000/-, for the Non-Executives who are below 50 years of age. The LIC wanted to raise the premium amount, since the claims have exceeded the premium amount received by it. However, this demand was strongly opposed by Com.Ashwin Kumar and other representatives of the unions and associations. Ultimately, it is decided that the old premium, i.e., Rs.1.60/- per Rs.1,000/- will continue. The Corporate Office has issued letter on 09.02.2024 for the renewal of the GTI scheme w.e.f. 01.03.2024. 

The Co-ordination Committee of UP (East) circle organised it’s Convention at Lucknow on 09.02.2024. A good number of comrades participated in this Convention. Com R.K.Mishra, Circle President, BSNLEU, UP (East) Circle presided over. Com K. R. Yadav, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, welcomed everyone and initiated the discussion. Com. Prem Nath Rai, General Secretary, CITU, Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated. Com Animesh Mitra, President, BSNLEU addressed the Convention and explained in detail about the demands contained in the strike notice to be organised on 16^th February. He severely criticised the anti-BSNL and pro-private policies of the Government, as a result of which lakhs of customers are leaving BSNL. He highlighted the non-settlement of Wage Revision, Stagnation, New Promotion Policy, Restructuring issue and urged upon the employees to massively join the strike on 16^th February. After the Convention, an Extended Circle Executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU, UP(East) circle, was held.

The launching of BSNL’s 4G service is getting terribly delayed.  As a result of this, BSNL is losing lakhs of customers every month. The 4G equipments of TCS, to be supplied to BSNL, are still undergoing field trials. The CMD BSNL has told the unions and associations in Ahmedabad that, BSNL’s 4G service would be launched only in December, 2024. The Government of India is the biggest shareholder in Vodafone Idea. Hence, BSNLEU has written a letter to the Hon’ble Minister of Communications today and has suggested that, as a temporary measure, BSNL should be allowed to immediately launch 4G service to it’s customers, by utilising the 4G network of Vodafone Idea.