NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COAL WORKERS ON 2ND JULY, 2010 AT ASANSOL, WEST BENGAL

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COAL WORKERS

AGAINST PRIVATISATION OF COAL INDUSTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE OPENING OF NCWA-IX NEGOTIATION

* Rabindra Bhawan, Asansol *

2nd. July, 2010

Resolution on Programme of Struggle

This Convention of Coal Workers held in Asansol Rabindra Bhawan on 2nd. July, participated by 981 delegates representing Trade Unions affiliated to different National Federations, independent of affiliations functioning in Coal India and its subsidiaries and addressed by Presidents of All India Coal Workers Federation (CITU), Akhil Bharatiya Khadan Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Hind Khadan Mazdoor Federation (HMS) Bharatya Khadan Mazdoor S National leaders from (HMS) and by other leaders and delegates , decides unanimously to carry forward Coal Workers’ united resolve into a common opposition against Government’s move for privatizing Coal India and to disinvest 10% of its share as the immediate step. The Convention rejects Government offer of 1% holding to workers, as undignified & manipulative intention to use workers as shield for the purpose of this illegal and unethical move.

Convention resolves unanimously to carry forward the struggle of coal workers against all such decisions, actions from the part of Coal India Managerment and the Government to divide the miners by way of introduction of discriminatory wage, benefit, PRP or through otherwise and through introduction of slave wages in the name of contracterisation. Convention calls upon all miners irrespective of affiliations and working positions to unite into a powerful campaign demanding immediate opening of NCWA-IX for settling coal workers wage and benefits, in line of parity, rationality, mutual dignity, also for abolishing the scar of contract system through absorption of all contractor workers engaged against permanent jobs and for meeting them similar wage as available for permanent workers pending such absorption. .

Convention having recognized the fact that the implication of coal mining goes beyond slaughter mining and slaughtering of miners, also raises question mark about the very existence of civic societies risen in mining cities in course of public ownership, industrial developments around existing and prospective mining areas, and threatens the prevention of land subsidence, reclamation of land after mining , causes concern on the matter of compensation for mine expansion and relief land oustees, resolves to unite and involve all such societies including that of the coal workers’ families into campaign of resistance against privatization.

Convention resolves to step up a phased campaign in the second stage of the struggle for the unity of all workers irrespective of their affiliations, all National Federations and Independent trade unions into a resistance struggle culminating into a nationwide 48 hours coal workers’ strike, to be scheduled in a manner so that the strike is materialized well ahead of actual process of disinvestment begins.

Convention expresses its happiness for the reason that All the National Federations in the Coal Industry has risen by now to join the resolve of coal workers for fighting the menace of privatization and dignified wage and service condition for coal workers. It directs all the trade unions party to this convention to join the resistance campaign likely to be carried by the Federations individually and collectively. Convention views that all the resolutions adopted in the convention including that of the decision for 48 hours strike is just the expression of united desire of workers. It appeals and expresses hope that All the National Federations who have risen to oppose the privatization would either unify themselves to find dates jointly in the month of August or they may announce their own dates with which the Convention is ready to synchronize. Convention appeals otherwise to them for synchronizing their dates with the dates the All India Coal Workers’ Federation may announce in default.

Convention announces the following phases of program accordingly :

(1) Holding of united meeting in all pit heads announcing the decision of Convention and involving common workers with its resolve during the period between 8th and 11th. July.

(2) Holding of convention/seminar/workshop in every mine, mining areas involving workers, workers’ families and other members members/organisation concerned with mining societies during the period between 11th. And 24th. July. 2010.

(3) Black badge wearing to mark the protest against the black decision of Privatisation on
27th and 28th July

(4) Demand badge wearing during 3rd. and 6th. August to culminate into a joint demonstration on 6th. August before the Area Manager and submission of memorandum.

(5) Rath yatra against privatistion through organizing decorated tablos and followed by motor bike procession all the areas connecting different mines and coal cities between 7th. And 14th. August.

(6) Observing 15th. August as the day of India for Public and against privatizing India.

(7) These program will be synchronized with other program relating to the 48 hours strike which may be announced individually by National Federatioon or Federations collectively by last week of July after completing the process of mutual consultations.

Convention calls upon the call workers to response the call likely to be given from convention scheduled in Delhi on 15th and jointly convened by National Trade Unions on five points charter including against disinvestment of Public sector industries.