TUI P & R Congress of WFTU in Barcelona on
5/6-2-2014
Brief Report
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Congress of Trade
Union International of Pensioners and Retirees (TUI P & R) under the
auspices of World Federation of Trade Union (WFTU) was held on 5th
& 6th February 2014 in a hill rural town called ORRIUS near
Barcelona (Spain). The venue belongs to
a Lawyers Association and they have given it at free of cost. The climate was very cool and the environment
was very pleasant. All the delegates
were taken by bus from the hotel which was about 40 Kms away from the
venue. After the session, all of them
were dropped in the hotel in the same way.
Earlier on 4/12/14
there was an open session in Barcelona in which we could not participate
because we reached late. Despite
invitation to the media, nobody attended and not reported also.
The Congress started
at 1030 hours on 5th. Com
QUIM BOIX, President of the Preparatory Committee spoke for 50
minutes. He explained in detail in
Spanish language about the task given to him by WFTU to organize this congress
with the help of other comrades. He
thanked all of them. He said that the
main objective of the Congress is to achieve a dignified life for everyone in
the world who are above the age of 60.
He said that compared
to pensioners in Europe, pensioners in Bolivia are better placed. Under pressure from Trade Unions, Bolivia has
reduced the retirement age from 60 to 55.
In case of women who have three or more children the retirement age is
49 with a bonus of 2 years for every new born.
But in Spain the retirement age was raised from 65 to 67. The Ecuador Government headed by President
Lucio Gutierrez decided to cut the public pension by 50%. Pensioners and Retirees Trade Unions fought
against this in 2004. They organized
a hunger strike in which 20 pensioners have lost their life and forced the
Government to withdraw that decision.
He said that they have
opened a Bank account for mobilizing the financial resources for this
congress. They have received generous
contributions from several Pensioners and Retirees organisations as well as
from individuals. We shall place the
accounts in the next meeting for every single penny we have spent on
preparations. The venue of this Congress
is a property belonging to “Lawyers Collective Team” in defense of workers’
rights called Col-lectiu Ronda. This
venue was given at free of cost by them.
After retirement, most
of the workers think that the Trade Union’s assistance is no longer
required. That is a big mistake. But some class conscious Pensioners remain as
members of their trade unions
helping others with their experience and even taking new responsibilities. We are veterans and former workers. We will always continue, side by side with
our class, fighting for our rights. A capitalist is having
the wealth equal to the wealth of 40 million people. This information may be astonishing but it
was provided by the capitalist class in a recent meeting held in Davos.
If we work with
dedication, we can organize millions of Retirees. For instance there are 9 million Pensioners
in Spain which constitutes 20% of population and 30% of voters. He also said that delegates from various
countries like Belarus, Romania, Italy, Venezula, Pakistan etc. could not
attend due to the reasons like non-availability of Visa, Forex etc. He welcomed all the delegates who were
present. His speech was applauded very
much. It was really thought provoking.
Com Gilda (lady of
Cuban origin) of WFTU greeted the congress for 13 minutes.
Com DIMOS KOMPOURIS,
Vice-president, Preparatory Committee spoke for 17 minutes about the document
to be approved by the Congress and asked the delegates to debate.
Delegates from Cyprus,
Congo, France, Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, Croatia, Columbia, Canari Island
(Spain), India, Nepal, Australia, United Kingdom, Denmark and Bahrain
participated in the debate. Some
important points as understood by us, is given below:-
In Cyprus, unemployment has increased in the
last 5 years. It is 18% at present and
it may go to 22% shortly. Pension was
cut by 30%. Economic crisis was created
by the capitalist system. Against this
attack on pensioners there was a demonstration on 14/12/13 and another big
demonstration is to be held in the 2nd week of February 14.
In Congo, Retirement age was 60 for women and
65 for men which was raised to 68 for both.
They are fighting against this and against the capitalist class.
In France the delegate said that no solidarity
is coming forth from the younger generation.
It is a fight between generations.
Pension Reforms were undertaken since 1993. One has to put 43 years of service to get
full pension. Here also unemployment has
increased. Retirement age is going to be
increased to 67 (from 65) from 1/1/2015.
70% of Below Poverty Line are women.
There is a deep cut in social security.
Against there were struggles in 2010 and 2013 also. Main Trade Unions are collaborating with new
capitalist system.
In Cuba, the Government ensures social
security to all. Monthly pension is guaranteed. Good relationship prevails between the
workers and pensioners. Ministry of
Culture has created an University for senior
citizens. Education is a right
there. The delegate hoped that TUI
P&R shall promote unity and solidarity.
In Mexico, the Government is attacking the Trade
Unions.
In Argentina, the crisis is very deep. 36% of workers are not having any social
security. New kind of socialism is
practiced in Cuba and Venezula.
In Columbia, TU leaders are being killed. In 2013 alone 23 were killed. Held big demonstrations against this kind of
attacks.
In Canari Island
(Spain), high rate
of corruption exists. Unemployment is to
the tune of 30%. Salary cut is
imposed. Working hours is 17% more
compared to other parts of Spain.
Bahrain was represented by ALBA Labour Union
which has one lakh membership. He
invited to hold the next meeting there and finance will not be a problem for
them. There would pleasant climate in
the month of February and March. TUI
P&R headquarters should arrange for translators because there won’t be any
translator for Spanish, French etc. His invitation was accepted and there may be a
meeting of TUI P&R in March 15.
Com
V.A.N.Namboodiri was
called to speak as a representative of CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions).
Com
D.Gopalakrishnan, our
Vice-president spoke for 15 minutes (1930 to 1945 hrs on 5th). He said that our organization has prepared a
13 page document in English. It was
translated into Spanish (50 copies) and French (20 copies). Spanish copies were circulated today. French copies and English copies would be supplied
tomorrow because those copies were in the baggage of Com Natarajan whose
luggage was not received in Barcelona Airport today. Delegates applauded our efforts. Pension in India for civil servants is
statutorily guaranteed he said and quoted some important portions from the
Nakara judgement delivered on 17/12/1982 by the constitutional
bench of the Supreme Court of India.
There are about 20 million Civil Pensioners in India. The Minimum Pension for them is Rs.3500/- per
month and maximum of Rs.45,000/- per month.
Though there are thousands of pensioners’ organisations in India only
about 20% of them are members of pensioners’ organisations. PFRDA Act 2013 was passed by Indian
Parliament in July 2013. Even before
that, it was implemented from 1/1/2004.
As on 2/3/2013, there were 44.93 lakh subscribers under this scheme and
there was a corpus fund of Rs.28,400 crore.
This huge amount is going to be pumped in stock market for the benefit
of corporates. As per this Act, Pension
depends on stock market return and there is no guaranteed pension. He quoted the observation made by Joseph
Stiglitz who is not a communist but chief economic advisor to President Bill
Clinton and nobel prize winner, in this regard.
He also quoted a renowned economist Dean Baker in this aspect. 270 million people in India are living in
Below Poverty Line. Some of them are
getting a paltry sum of Rs.200/- per month as pension. He also agreed with the observation made by
many delegates that for all these ills Capitalism is the root cause. Somebody wanted the system of socialism. Some of the Socialist countries have adopted
reforms. Which kind of socialism we want
to have? Cuba type of socialism or
Venezuela type of socialism? We should
have clarity on this aspect. We have
observed the speeches of various delegates.
Though there is a common point of ‘Attack on Pension’ there are many
variations between countries and within a country itself disparity exists as
quoted by Canari Island delegate. French
delegate said that there is a fight between generations and young generation is
not supporting old generation. On the other hand Cuban delegate said that
there is good relationship between workers and pensioners. In these circumstances, what is going to be
the role and approach of TUI P&R? It
has to be defined. According to us, it
can give guidance, encourage struggles, share the experiences of various
countries and extend solidarity.
By and large,
delegates appreciated our document and our speech.
Comrade George,
General Secretary, WFTU sent a greeting message to the congress which was shown
on the screen.
On 6th, the
Constitution of TUI P & R was approved unanimously. With the observations of the delegates, the
Document proposed by the presidium was also approved.
Several resolutions
which included demanding full social security with a decent retirement income
for 60 years of age and above, public health care, proper and decent housing,
culture, leisure, access to public, high quality transport system at subsidized
cost, healthy environment and
special care for disabled, Sahara Liberation, Solidarity with Palestenians and
Mexico workers etc. were passed unanimously.
USA indulged in Human Rights Violations arresting 5 Cubans in 1998 and
released in 2013 with a condition for them to stay in USA for another three
years. A resolution condemned this and
demanded their immediate deportation to Cuba.
It was
also informed that delegates can send the resolutions, if any, by E-mail within
a week.
Elections were held
and the following were elected unanimously:-
President Com Dimos Koumpouris
(Greece)
General Secretary Com Quim Boix Lluch (Spain)
2nd
General Secretary Com
Jean Marie (Gabon/Africa)
Financial Secretary Com Xose Ramon Boan (Spain)
Five Vice-Presidents
(one from each contient) For Asia Com
Giri Balkrishna of Nepal.
Five Secretaries
(one from each continent) For Asia one for our organization. We told them that we shall give the name
after due consultation.
Com
V.A.N.Namboodiri is one of the members in Technical & Investigation
commission. Other members of the
commission include representative from Argentina, Greece, Mexico, Spain &
Senegal.
One representative
from Cyprus, Congo(Africa) & Bahrain were elected to Financial Commission.
General Secretary and
President thanked one and all. They
said that hundreds of millions of Pensioners & Retired Workers have now at
their disposal a new tool in their struggle for their rights.
Discussion with General Secretary
General Secretary Com Quim Boix Lluch spoke to us on 11th
morning with the help of translator and told us that our task is to contact him
through E-mail atleast once in 15 days.
Asked to give a very brief report.
He advised us to help and guide Com Giri, who is the Vice-president for
Asia for organizing the pensioners in Asia.
A copy of any communication sent to Com Giri may be sent to the General
Secretary. We are advised to popularize
the message of the Congress in the Region.
Emphasised for the unity of pensioners in India.
For affiliation to WFTU, our
organization should submit the form along with our organisation’s constitution
and brief history about our organization.
He did not specify the affiliation fees but said that it would be
nominal.
62 Delegates
including 10 ladies from 20 countries/5 continents participated in the 1st
Congress of TUI P&R. There were 29
representatives from WFTU. Total
attendance - 91
Sl.No. Continent Country Total No. of Delegates from each
continent
1 Africa Gabon-1
2 Congo -1 2
3 America Argentina-1
4 Brazil-2
5 Columbia-1
6 Cuba-1
7 Ecuador-1
8 Mexico -4 10
9 Australia Australia-1 1
10 Europe Cyprus-1
11 Denmark-1
12 France-6
13 Great
Britain-1
14 Greece-4
15 Spain-27
16 Portugal-1
17 Croatia -1 42
18 Asia India-3
19 Nepal-2 5
20 Middle
East Bahrain 2
Concession to Senior Citizens
We had our own experience.
There is a tourist bus which takes the tourists around the city of
Barcelona, Madrid (capital of Spain) and the fare for the day per tourist is 21
Euros. For the senior citizens who are
above 65 years of age, the fare is 10 Euros only. In Madrid, there is a Botanical garden and
the entrance fee is 3 Euros per person.
But for senior citizens above the age of 65 it is free. We were asked to show the passport and after
verifying the age, the concession was given.
News Gathered By our Leaders
From UK, Com Tony Donaghey attended the Congress. He is now 72.
He retired as Railway Guard in 2007 at the age of 65 after putting in 48
years of service. During his service
period 20% of salary was deducted towards National Insurance Scheme. Now he gets 113 pounds as State Pension per
week. He gets equal amount as Railway
Pension. His total monthly pension comes
to 904 pounds. He has to pay incometax
from his pension since the ceiling for incometax is 10,000 pounds per
annum. He is getting a monthly net
pension of nearly 800 pounds. Since he
is living out of London, the pension is somewhat just sufficient.
From Nepal, Ex-National Servants Association, Nepal (ENSAN)
President Com K.C.Mohan Bahadur and Senior Vice-President Com Giri Balkrishna
attended the Congress. This Association
was formed in April 1996. Its membership
include Retired workers from Civil Service, Education, Police, Army, Private
sector like Electricity, Bank, Insurance, Airlines, Telecom Etc. The Association functions at District and
National level. It has got a membership
of 55,721. Total Pensioners in Nepal is
1,78,325. Like India, Civil servants
have two category viz. Gazetted and Non-Gazetted. There exists a discrimination in pension
between Army/Police and other NGOs.
Pension per annum for Army & Police NGOs are total salary divided by
40. But it is less for Civil NGOs. Police & Army retired NGOs are getting
age related additional pension of 30% at 60 years, 40% at 70 years & 50% at
80 years of age. This is not extended to
Civil NGOs.
From Australia, Com Fred Krausert,
68, participated in the Congress on behalf of Maritime Union of Australia
Veterans Association. He is the national
secretary of the organization and lives in New Castle. He worked as Chief of Ship Crew and retired
at the age of 65. Unemployment in
Australia is 6% now. He is getting about
1,000 Australian dollars per month.
Since his wife died 10 years before, he is living alone and it is just
sufficient for him. In accordance with
Cost of Price Index, pension is revised twice a year on an average 27.7% is
given but the Union demands for 35% increase.
Unity initiative even on foreign soil
Com Namboodiri, after going through our report, commented
that it was a very good report and lot of information about India is
given. He also made an observation about
D.Gopalakrishnan’s speech in the Congress that it was very good as usual.Both of our leaders talked to him.
We told him that he is a senior leader and he should take the initiative
to unite the pensioners in India under one umbrella. He took it in the right spirit and told us
that he would consult other comrades in his organization and inform us. We also discussed about unifying the
pensioners in Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka,
Mianmar. Let us hope for the best.
About General Secretary of TUI P&R
Com Quim Boix Llunch is 68 now. He retired voluntarily at the age of 65 i.e.
one year before normal retirement. He
took voluntary retirement because his wife was very sick. He has got a Doctorate. He speaks Spanish, 4 Regional languages in
Spain, French and Portugese but not English.
He worked in Information field, Metal industry, Textile industry, again
Information field and finally as Municipal Engineer for 20 years.
He helped a lot to us.
He drove his car and came to our Hotel at 0530 in the morning and
dropped us in Barcelona Railway Station and again came to Railway Station at
2340 hrs to pick-up from the Railway station and dropped us in Hotel on
8/2/14. On 11th he came with
a translator, picked up from Hotel and dropped us in the Airport.
