AIBDPA TN Article by Com VAN* *Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA CHQ
THE FIGHT AGAINST VRS IS PART OF THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL OF BSNL
The Central government and the BSNL Management already have started plans for another Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) in BSNL, proposing to send out about 30,000 employees, in the name of reducing expenditure on wages. About 80,000 employees were retrenched in the name of VRS four years back. At present there is a total of 56,000 employees, including 29,000 executives and 27,000 non-executives, only about 15% of the 3,50,000 workers existing at the time of formation of BSNL. Induction of advance technology may result in redundancy of staff , but not to this extent on any count.
Since the formation of BSNL, the management and government have been continuously conspiring to reduce the number of existing workforce. This the fifth attempt in this connection.
Public Sector is no more the priority of the government. After the introduction of the neo-liberal policies, the government has been continuously making all efforts to weaken and close the PSUs and support the corporates. BSNL is an example, where the government wants to support the corporates in a big way and weaken the PSUs, BSNL and MTNL VRS is part of this game.
The First VRS attempt to reduce about 50,000 employees was made in 2004, with the support of NFTE, then Recognised Union and agreement was made in the Joint Consultative Machinery , National Council of BSNL, to that effect. But BSNL Employees Union along with other unrecognised unions protested against the decision and organised several agitational programmes , including a massive dharna in front of BSNL Corporate Office. In the meanwhile, NFTE lost and BSNLEU won in the Second Membership Verification and became the sole Recognised Union. It took up the matter with Management which was compelled to drop the VRS. It was a great success for the workers. In the meantime massive meetings were held all over the country explaining that VRS is disadvantage both to the PSU as well as to the officials opting for VRS.
The Second VRS issue was raised by the Minister Communications as well as the CMD BSNL on 31-07-2007 at the inauguration function of Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, newly built office of BSNL, proposing VRS for 20,000 employees on the plea that ‘BSNL is at risk when compared with private operators, who have less staff’.
BSNLEU, the Recognised Union, reacted sharply to the new VRS proposals and warned the management of going on strike, if the proposal is not dropped. As the first reaction, massive protest demonstration was organised on 07.08.2007, immediately after the Minister’s statement.
The then new CMD, Shri Kuldeep Goyal, realising the explosive situation, called for a meeting of all the unions on 10.08.2007, within days and tried to convince the unions about the requirement of VRS. All the Unions strongly protested and seeing the united opposition, the CMD assured that VRS will not be implemented without discussion with the Unions. Thus the 2nd VRS proposal was dropped.
The Third VRS proposal came after Sam Pitroda Committee recommended that 10% shares of BSNL is to be disinvested and that one lakh workers should be sent out on VRS. All the unions strongly protested. The Joint Action Committee of BSNL Unions / Associations consisting of 15 Unions/Associations organsied many protest actions , massive meetings which culminated in an Indefinite Strike starting from 20th April 2010. The demands of the strike included No disinvestment, No outsourcing, Wage Revision etc. in addition to No VRS/CRS.
It was a magnificent strike with almost all the employees/officers participating. The management became panicky. JAC was immediately called for discussion by the Minister Communications and a prolonged discussion took place with all the unions and favourable decisions were arrived at, including that there will be no VRS. So this attempt for VRS was also defeated. However, again there was an attempt on the part of the management to initiate VRS, but a massive Parliament March and Three day Strike started from 1st December 2010 had its effect. During the discussion between Secretary DOT and JAC, assurance was given that there will be no VRS.
The failure of these earlier attempts to impose VRS, in the face of strong protest and agitations by the workers and their unions, was a slap on the face of the government and the management. Hence the Fourth VRS proposal came with full preparation on the part of the management. On the plea of loss and lack of funds, the monthly salaries were not paid in time, certain benefits of the workers were withdrawn, medical allowances were denied and medical bills were delayed for long period. The management arranged speeches and classes in all major centres, with top officers explaining the so called benefits of the VRS. Pressure was mounted on workers for going on VRS.
On the other side, BSNLEU organised several campaigns against VRS to educate the workers. Protest Demonstrations were organised. But unfortunately some of the unions in the AUAB (All Unions and Associations of BSNL) themselves became weak-hearted stating that many of their members are in support of VRS. The continued propaganda of the government and management had its effect. In short, the management was able to get about 80,000 employees retrenched under VRS. The total number of employees after the VRS was about 71,000 only. Now, it has come down to about 56,000.
It is at this stage that the management is proposing another VRS for about 30,000 employees. This proposal, if implemented, will completely destabilise BSNL and is strongly opposed and protested by BSNLEU, the recognized union. But, it is understood that the government is moving with the proposal. The opposition of BSNLEU has been given wide publicity in the national press, with reasons for the same.
It is pointed out by BSNLEU that ‘VRS was implemented thrice in MTNL. However the financial position of MTNL did not improve and the company is facing closure now’. ‘BSNLEU strongly urges upon the management to reconsider and withdraw its decision to implement a second VRS. Instead we, suggest that a thorough self-introspection of flawed policies and managerial inefficiencies, as these are the true barriers to BSNL’s revival and growth’. Exactly.
The Government and BSNL Management should withdraw the VRS proposal in BSNL, which is against the interest of the public service, against the interest of the workers and against the interest of BSNL itself.
The policy of the government is to destroy the PSUs or hand over them to the corporates. Disinvestment, VRS, denial of 4G, 5G to BSNL , no recruitment etc. all are intended to destabilse BSNL, which is completely against the assurances given by the government to the workers at the time of formation of BSNL.
The Co-ordination Committee of BSNLEU - AIBDPA - BSNLCCWF has organised well attended demonstrations in all places demanding ‘No VRS’ , provision of 4G, 5G etc. So that the revival of BSNL is made a matter of priority. But the government is keeping mum on these demands . All the unions/Associations in BSNL & MTNL should come together against VRS and on the major demands of the workers and also to save BSNL & MTNL. The support of the people is important in these struggles .
V.A.N.Namboodiri 16.01.2025
Fwd
R.Rajasekar
CS AIBDPA TN
16.1.25
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