NFTE –FNTO Alliances have no right to talk about Bonus (PLI):-

 

1.               The Bonus Act introduced by the Government of India during 1964-65 made industrial workers drawing monthly pay up to Rs. 1600/- eligible for bonus, i.e. a worker whose pay was Rs. 750 per month. The CG Employees were not covered by the Bonus Act.

 

2.               In December 1972, NFPTE led by late Com. K.G. Bose and late Com. A.S. Rajan took initiative and organized a massive convention of Central Govt. employees in New Delhi raising the unique slogan of “Bonus to All”. Then NFPTE’s reformist, revisionist leaders ridiculed  the convention & said “How can Govt. employees demand bonus? Is it a commercial concern?”. They also ridiculed that “ Bonus for All “ means “ Bonus for None “. But the fight for Bonus to C.G. employees continued by the progressive force in NFPTE.

 

3.               In the year 1979, when Ch. Charan Singh, was the Prime Minister, orders were issued granting Bonus to employees of railway only  and later on all C.G. employees under pressure from  the left parties and continuous struggle by the C.G. employees.

 

4.               During 1983-84 the Govt. amended the Bonus Act raising the eligibility ceiling to Rs 2500/- & the quantum ceiling to Rs. 1600/- At that time Railway Federation managed to get higher eligibility ceiling for railway men . This discrimination continued till Oct. ‘1996.

 

5.               Demand of “bonus for all” was started and on 19.09.96 was observed as “Demands day” by organizing Joint rallies & demonstrations. Thousands of branches sent Savingrams to Finance Minister & Labour Minister demanding Bonus for all Gr “C&D” without eligibility ceiling.

 

6.               O.P.G & Co. have been repeatedly advocating that “Bonus for all” means “Bonus to none.”

 

 

 

 

7 days glorious strike from 23.10.96.

 

The historic strike started on 23.10.96. O.P. Gupta & Company wanted to withdraw the strike on 25th ‘Oct’ 1996 without any settlement. Postal Federations decided to continue strike. A large number of local employees from MTNL reached Sanchar Bhawan and started shouting slogans against withdrawal of the strike.

 

On 28th Oct.’ 1996 Com. Sitaram Yechury, MP, met the Prime Minister, Sri H.D. Devegowda and 29th Oct’ 1996 Com. Harkishan Singh  Surjeet also met the Prime Minister. All Central T.U. leaders issued statements supporting the strike. Finally the cabinet decided to remove eligibility ceiling for bonus in the case of all Gr. “C”& “D” employees.

 

During NFTE-BSNL regime since formation of BSNL no Bonus formula for payment of Bonus had been evolved. Adhoc Bonus is being paid. Afteer 2nd Membership Verification in the year 2004, BSNLEU got recognition  and discussed in the 1st meeting of the National Council held on 25th January’2005 on new Bonus Formula.

 

After the continuous struggle and persuation by the BSNLEU, DOT has proposed a draft PLI Scheme vide letter no. 11-18/2003-SU-II dated 10-06-2005 addressed to CMDs of BSNL & MTNL. The proposal was for non-executives on the basis of one month’s basic pay or Rs.6000/= whichever is less multiplied by the scores obtained and for Executives one month’s basic pay or Rs.10,000/- which is less.

 

Grade                   Mou rating

Excellent              1.2

Very Good            1

Good                    0.75

Fair                      0.5

Poor                     nil

 

BSNLEU demanded for non-executives PLI schemes should be equivalent to one months basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs.10,000/- and a minimum of Rs.8000/= multiplied by the scores obtained .

 

Grade                   Mou rating

Excellent              1.6

Very Good            1.3

Good                    1.1

Fair                      1

 

Finally, DOT has issued a guidelines for PLI scheme in MTNL & BSNL vide no. 11-18/2003-SU.II dated on 13.10.2005 addressed to the CMDs BSNL & MTNL.

 

Mou Grading                Multiplication factor

Excellent              1.4

Very good             1.1

Good                    0.85

Fair                      0.75

Poor                     no incentive

 

Category               Minimum                 Maximum

Non-executives    Rs.7000/-                        Rs.10,000/-

Executives           Rs.10,000/-             Rs.12,500/-

 

 

BSNL Management approved the PLI for the year 2005-6 and issued order vide no. 12-8/2006-PAT(BSNL) dated 20-09-2006 raising the upper limit from Rs.12,500/- to Rs.25,000/-. BSNLEU took up the case and demanded to increase lower ceiling from Rs.7000/- to Rs.10,000/-. The issue was discussed in the National Council meeting held on 11th April’2007. The issue was also discussed with Secretary DOT on 28-08-2007. Later on the issue was raised in the 16th National Council meeting held in September’2007. In between time agitational programme was organized. This time NFTE-BSNL kept silence.

 

Finally, BSNL Management issued an order vide no. 12-8/2007-PAT(BSNL) dated 10-10-2007 raising the lower ceiling from Rs.7000/- to Rs.10,000/- and the payment of Bonus was made in the year 2007 accordingly.

 

In 2007-08, due to reduction in revenue from Rs.39,000 crores to Rs.38,053 crores and profit from Rs. 7900 crores to Rs.3900 Crores and granting MOU rating “Fair”, the BSNL Management refused to pay Bonus in a meeting of Joint Forum. NFTE-FNTO leaders attended the meeting but kept silence only BSNLEU’s strong protest Bonus was paid minimum Rs. 7000/- and maximum Rs.10,000/- for non-executives. BSNLEU have protested and demanded minimum Rs.10,000/- be paid to all non-executives. NFTE-FNTO alliances leaders are mis-leading the employees through false propaganda only for the Membership Verification.