Historic Reunion: Joyful 38th Joint Circle Conference of Assam Postal Employees’ Unions Ignites Unity in Dhubri after 23 Years
After a 23-year hiatus, the 38th Joint Circle Conference of Postal Employees’ Unions for Assam and Northeast Circle returned to Dhubri. The last such conference in this region took place during the 29th Joint Circle Conference in 2001.
Hosted by the Goalpara Postal Division, a pivotal unit within the Assam Circle, the conference highlighted the region’s strategic significance. Goalpara connects Assam with its Northeastern neighbors and is close to international borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan.
In the keynote address, a union representative spotlighted the mounting challenges faced by postal employees, such as rising prices, unemployment, and the adverse effects of neoliberal economic policies. The speaker condemned the government’s withdrawal from essential duties, which has left critical sectors like postal services susceptible to market forces.
A significant focus of the conference was the privatization of public services, including Indian Railways, Postal Services, and Telecom. The union strongly opposed the National Monetization Pipeline Scheme, arguing it jeopardizes national assets at the public’s expense.
Discussions extended to new labor laws codified into four labor codes and the contentious New Pension Scheme (NPS). Union members voiced concerns that these reforms fail to adequately address employee and pensioner needs, advocating instead for a new Central Pay Commission to ensure fair wages.
Another critical topic was the Task Force Report by TSR Subrahmaniam, which recommended splitting the Postal Department into six holding companies. Union leaders cautioned that this could undermine the integrity of India’s extensive postal network, affecting millions who rely on postal banking and insurance services.
Despite these challenges, the conference served as a forum for delegates to strategize on preserving the future of postal services amidst economic pressures. The event concluded with a firm commitment to protecting postal employees’ interests and maintaining the relevance of postal services.
Panchanan Roy, General Secretary of the organizing committee, thanked participants for their dedication and expressed hope that the conference would strengthen the unity and resilience of the postal workforce in Assam and the Northeast.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-38th-joint-circle-conference-of-postal-employees-unions-held-in-dhubri-after-23-years-1088073-2024-09-07?utm_source=rssfeed
Category :
Tags:
