Confederation express solidarity with defense workers, to join July 8 protest

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SOLIDARITY WITH DEFENCE WORKERS

02.07.2021

Dear Comrades,

As you are aware, the Defence Civilian employees and workers are on the path of struggle since the day the Govt. of India decided to corporatise the 41 ordnance factories, virtually to  hand  over the national assets to private entrepreneurs that too to a selected favoured few of the ruling Party, BJP.  Ever since this Government came to power, as part of the intensification of the neo- liberal economic policies, the Government had been making all out efforts to change the public sector ownership of defence production units.  The Government could not fault the Ordnance Factory Board either on the score of the quality of their products or the cost of production.  Recently when the country was in the grip of covid 19 and the universal wearing of masks became a combating pre-requisite, the Government had to seek the help of OFB to produce these masks in large quantities and at affordable price. 

The Ordnance factories came into existence as part of the National endeavour to bring in self-reliance in the vital defence sector emanating from the bitter experience when the country was in war with its neighbours.  The present decision on all fours is the product of the crony capitalism indulged in by the rulers ever since they came to power.  They are duty-bound to do so having received financial assistance from them. 

The Industrial Disputes Act and other labour welfare enactments made by the country in its post-independent era aim to protect the interest of the workers and their right to strike.  It must be stated in all seriousness that despite differences, all Federations including that led by the leaders of the Ruling party joined together to resist this ill-conceived project of the government.  Even after the commencement of the strike on the last occasion, they decided to provide an opportunity to the Government to come to a mutually agreeable negotiated settlement and created an ambience required for it by withdrawing the strike action.  It is, therefore, audacious to note that the Government has taken the unfortunate position that it is their sole prerogative to take policy decisions and those decisions are un-negotiable. The Government took no steps to allay the fears expressed by the workers in the event of the transformation of the entity into a corporate body. 

It is the united strength of workers, that forced the Government to invoke the provisions of the dreaded Essential Services Maintenance Act which shall provide draconian powers to the Government to suppress the movement, jail the leaders, oust them permanently from the factories through arbitrary dismissals and removals.

The Federations in the Defence Industry have come together and passed a resolution, which inter alia details the inexplicable move of the government and their determined decision to face it squarely.  Copy of the said resolution is enclosed.

The invoking of the provisions of the ESMA to deal with a purely industrial dispute must be viewed seriously. It reflects the impudent and autocratic attitude of the rulers.    Confederation of Central Government employees and workers and its affiliates had been the victim of such autocratic and despotic actions of the Government in the past.  It is our solemn duty to extend our solidarity and support to the Defence workers at this critical juncture.  The Defence Federations have called upon their members to observe 8th July, 2021 as Black Protest day.  Confederation’s National Sectt. calls upon its affiliates and through them all the Central Government employees to join the protest action on 8th July, 2021 and demonstrate their solidarity with the Defence workers. 

   With greetings,

 Yours fraternally,

      R.N. Parasar

Secretary General.

Read: Resolution adopted in the joint meeting of the 5 federations of the defence civilian employees (AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS, NPDEF & AIBDEF) condemning the draconian essential defence services ordinance 2021 and demanding to withdraw the same

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.com/