BSNL to trim staff, plan to introduce VRS, employees to agitate

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd is working on a revised plan to reduce its workforce as salary payments have affected its revenues.

The PSU telecom firm’s net loss of Rs 5,997 crore during 2010-11 can be attributed to hefty payments made towards salaries and the purchase of 3G and BWA (broadband wireless access) spectrum, company officials said.

BSNL had suffered a loss of Rs 1,823 crore in 2009-10 for the first time since its inception in 2000. “Around 47 per cent of BSNL’s revenue go towards staff salary. The company is working on plans such as voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) to reduce the headcount,” officials said.

The department of telecom (DoT) had rejected BSNL’s proposal to trim its workforce by 21,000 as the number was too low considering the financial burden.

The DoT had suggested that the company should reduce its workforce by about 1,00,000, as proposed by the Sam Pitroda panel set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to improve the financial health of the firm.

The PSU, with an employee base of about 2,80,000, has been struggling to survive in the industry because of high employee cost, declining revenues and low tariffs.

The VRS scheme may require the company to make a one-time payment of about Rs 2,000-3,000 crore, while the DoT will shoulder the remaining financial burden.

Source : The Telegraph

JAC decides to observe one day mass fast on 27-09-2011 and one day strike on 10-10-2011.

The JAC which met at New Delhi today 21-09-2011, took the historic decision to oppose the VRS, lock stock and barrel. The meeting which was presided over by com.G.L.Jogi,GS,SNEA, unanimously decided to observe one day mass fast at All India level, circle level and SSA level on 27-09-2011 and to go on one day strike on 10-10-2011, opposing VRS, demanding PLI, etc

The unions which participated in today’s meeting are BSNLEU, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, BSNL MS, TEPU, SEWA BSNL, BTU and NFTBE.

PROGRAMME

Mass fast at All India, circle and SSA levels on 27-09-2011.

One day strike on 10-10-2011.

    DEMANDS

1)     No VRS.

2)     Payment of PLI.

3)     Restoration of medical allowance, LTC and Leave encashment.

4)     Policy related issues

5)     Conclusion of the process of absorption of ITS.

6)     Merger of 78.2% IDA.