BSNL staffers to go on indefinite strike

Members of Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations (FBUA) have decided to go on an indefinite strike from March 17.

They are demanding the Central government and the BSNL to take immediate steps for the revival of BSNL, which is said to be facing losses since last four years.

Speaking to media at a protest by the employees at the BSNL office here on Thursday, K S Sheshadri, Secretary, National Federation of Telecom Employees (NFTE) Secretary, said: The government and the BSNL are moving ahead towards closing BSNL and making it a private organisation, while, the employees want to retain it as a public sector undertaking.

The members will stage a “Parliament March” on February 25, where they will put forth their demands before the prime minister and the Telecom Ministry. If their demands are not met then they would go on an indefinite strike from March 17. The association has prepared a charter of 21 demands, which includes - compensation for loss on landlines for rural and remote service areas, drop merger of BSNL with MTNL, fresh recruitment of staff, free allotment of spectrum to BSNL, BSNL should start 4G services, provide financial assistance to BSNL to expand network and BSNL services be made mandatory in the Central government, State government and all the PSUs.