“If SLA is implemented, BSNL Contract Workers will lose all rights”
On 30th September, the newly formed contract workers union observed a “Black Day” and held protests against BSNL’s austerity measures and the Service Level Agreement (SLA). They will also be holding hunger strikes in the upcoming weeks seeking payment of dues, regularisation and the continuation of the Job Contract Labours system.
GLN spoke to Contract Workers Union member Amitava Bhattacharya regarding the same:
5. The Job Contract Labour System
The contract workers began working under the Kolkata Telecommunications Department 25 years ago, five years before Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was even established. At the time, the worked under a “casual system”.
In 2002, a digital notification was put forward which allowed workers to be hired as contract labour. Based on this, a high power committee was created to determine contract work, and in 2004, the “Job Contract” scheme came into place, which regulated the employment of contract workers employed as Job Contract Labours (JCL).
Though JCL prohibits it, contract workers are often hired to do perennial work- such as creating bills, working as a peon, line man helper, etc. Officially, they are hired as sweepers, watchmen, etc, but their managers make them do this work covertly. In doing so, they’re able to increase profits making contract workers do the same jobs as permanent workers (differentiated as “employees”) but for lesser pay and without statutory benefits. JCL workers are also often not paid for months.
