On the guise of economic development and labour welfare, the government continues its privatisation and disinvestment moves in spite of strong protests from the working class across the country. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, showing his confidence in the Minister for Disinvestment Arun Shourie during the cabinet reshuffle effected on January 29, 2003, not only retained his portfolio, but also vested him with the coveted Ministry of Communication and Information  Technology.

Each and every deal of privatisation, as it goes on, has surpassed the record of previous sell-off in terms of the damage inflicted on the national exchequer and the fortuitous gain for the private buyers, as also for those in the governance handling the deal. The whole process of such handling (or mis-handling?) the public property in the PSUs does no more remain a hush-hush under-the table affair.

Now, ‘Post Closing’ Fraud!

(pp 6) The Working Class,

 Vol:33, No.6,Feb:2003

The IMF and the World Bank have now been forced to abandon their so-called “structural adjustment” policies, which made countries only more dependent. But the new policy package, re-labeled as poverty eradication programmes, continue to harp on privatisation and liberalisation. Such policies have only made countries poorer and more indebted, blocking economic growth.

A Global Movement is Forging Ahead

against Privatisation & Liberalisation

(pp 6) Trade Union Record

 Vol:61, No:1, 5 Jan:2003

Government of India’s decision to sell-out BPCL and HPCL which are part of the strategic sector and very vital to the Nation’s security, is anti-people and anti-national. Privatisation of oil companies will make supply of petroleum products, considered lifeline of the Nation, dependent on private monopolies including foreign companies. This will be against national interest.

BPCL, HPCL Sell Out is ‘Anti-People,

 Anti-National’

(pp 7) Trade Union Record

Vol:61, No:3, 5 Feb:  2003

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has shot off a letter to the Prime Minister protesting against the decision to privatise HPCL and BPCL and seeking his intervention for a review of the proposed sell off “in the interest of the nation and the workers”.

Oil PSUs Sell-off

BMS Shoots Missive to PM

(pp 5), Vishwakarma Sanket, 

Vol:11, No:2, February 2003

Corporate India appears to be opposed to the strategic sale of profit making public sector “navratnas” with the new FICCI president, A.C. Muthiah, suggesting that they be converted to autonomous corporations run by professional management. Instead of divesting government equity to a single partner, he advocates that the companies be allowed to disinvest shareholding to the public and be listed on the U.S. based Nasdaq or domestic stock exchanges.

FICCI Opposed to Strategic  Sale Route

(pp5), The Indian Worker,

Vol:XLVII; No:3, Feb 1-15, 2003

Asian Social Forum, in which more than 20,000 people took part, concluded in Hyderabad on January 7, 2003. The event, dotted with seminars and workshops, gave space for the participants to discuss alternatives, exchange experiences and to strengthen alliances between trade unions, social movements and NGOs.

The ASF was modeled after the World Social Forum held annually at Porto Allegre in Brazil, described as "an open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, free exchange of experiences and inter-linking for effective action by groups and movement of civil society".

Another Asia is Possible! Another World is Possible!

(pp 8) The Working Class,

Vol:33, No.6,Feb: 2003

The summit at Hyderabad had attracted representative of over 300 organisations in the region with their commitment to challenge the policies thrust on the developing countries by the Bretton Woods institutions - the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The response to the six-day meeting was over-whelming.

Another World with Equity and Social Justice is
not only Possible but is also Necessary

pp 5, HMS Bulletin,

Vol. II, No.I, Jan 2003

Large number of representatives of the social, mass and people`s movements and organisations of Asia and the pacific, from diverse, cultural and political backgrounds assembled on 2-7 January 2003, at Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, under the banner of Asian Social Forum. The purpose of the gathering was to exchange experience and raise their voice against neo-liberal globalisation, imperialism, militarism, patriarchy and fundamentalism.

Asian Social Forum to Resist  Imperialism, Defend Democracy and Secular Values

(pp 8) Trade Union Record

Vol:61, No:3, 5 Feb: 2003

The six-day Asian Social Forum summit which concluded recently, said it was time to rewrite history but it should be done by the toiling masses and not by the international and national political rulers, racist, casteist and religious communal chieftains and global corporate regimes and business houses. The summit said present history was being written by the international and national market agents and their institutions and governments which have only plunder as their goal and no concern for the commoner.

Time to Rewrite History

(pp 7), Indian Worker;

Vol:XLVII, No:3, Feb: 1-15, 2003

A comprehensive labour legislation for unorganised workers at the central level has been a long-standing demand of the workers in India. The central government has come up with a Bill for the unorganised sector workers. The Bill, which emphasises only on the welfare of the unorganised sector workers, has invited strong opposition from all major central trade unions.

In a joint letter addressed to Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour the central trade unions noted that while the preamble of the draft bill suggests to regulate employment and service conditions of the workers in unorganised sector and also to provide for health, safety, social security and welfare of the workers, the bill emphasises only upon one aspect, i.e., welfare of the unorganised sector workers and that too on limited terms.

Draft Bill on Unorganised Sector: 

TUs Protest

(pp 23) The Working Class,

Vol:33, No.6, Feb: 2003

The Draft bill considerably varies from, the Draft Bill provided by SNCL. Most objectionable part of the Draft is the provision under Section 54 of the Draft Bill which enables the Government to assume absolute authority to decide about the application, modification and alteration of the existing statues which are in force without specifying as to what the modifications would be and which means distortion of the existing provisions there of for the proposed legislation. No trade union worth its name can subscribe to such a proposal.

Draft Bill for the Unorganised Sector Workers! TUs express Shock,

Offer Help in Redrafting

(pp138) Trade Union Record

Vol:61, No:3, 5 Feb: 2003

The government has announced an increase in the honorarium of the Anganwadi workers and helpers in India. Though the proposed enhancement was made in the Budget speech of the Finance Minister last year, it was not implemented. The various unions of the Anganwadi workers adopted different methods of agitation in protest against the government`s negligence towards this 12-lakh workforce. For the last five-and-half years, there has been no enhancement made in the honorarium given to these workers.

After a prolonged struggle twelve-lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers in the country achieved a hike in their `honorarium`, by around 100 %. The minister for Human Resources Development, Murli Manohar Joshi, announced that it would be implemented with effect from 1st April 2002.

Anganwadi Employees Achieve Hike

 in Honorarium

(pp 16) The Working Class,

Vol:33, No.6, Feb: 2003

The Government of India has finally agreed to enhance the honorarium paid to Anganwadi Workers by Rs 500 and Rs 240 to the helpers wef 1st April 2002. Demand of Akhil Bharatiya Anganwadi Karamchari Mahasangh, who have been struggling for it for years has been met partially only since they had demanded at least minimum wage.

Anganwadi Efforts Bear Fruit: Central

Govt Adds Rs 500 to Honorarium

(pp 2) Vishwakarma Sanket,

Vol 11, No:2, Feb: 2003