Dear Comrades,

Please download the attached Circular No.08/2014 dated 28 May 2014.

•     AIIEA_CIRCULAR.doc

We are extremely sorry to learn about the sad demise of Com. R.Umanath.

Com. Umanath was 94 years old and ailing for some time. He breathed his last, today morning at Tiruchi in Tamilnadu.

Com. Umanath was Vice President of South Zone Insurance Employees’ Federation (SZIEF) till 1998. He also was the President of Insurance Corporation Employees’ Union, Tanjavore Division in the initial years. He guided the insurance employees’ movement in difficult times.

Throughout his life he served for the cause of the poor and dispossessed sections of the society. He was the Politburo member of the CPI (M). His contribution to the working class movement is invaluable. He was the 1st General Secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Tamil Nadu state and served as all India Vice- President of CITU for three decades.  He was an outstanding leader of working class. Com. Umanath addressed the conferences of AIIEA and its units at many centres in the south and he inaugurated the 16th General Conference of AIIEA at Madurai in the year 1998. His guidance was always sharp and clear.

It is very sad that the working class of the country lost the guidance and experience of this great leader at this crucial time when the trade union movement is under severe attack from the neo liberal economy pursued by the ruling class of this country. The death of Com. Umanath is certainly a great loss to Insurance Employees’ movement.

AIIEA salutes Com.R.UMANATH and dips its banner in his memory. 

•     R.Umanath.doc

Leave Travel Concession

We have been representing for the past few years for improvements in LTC scheme and also for introduction of encashment benefit.  We have held a number of discussions with officials of central office on this issue.  We have been assured that LIC is working out to bring about the improvements in LTC including the introduction of encashment facility.

Unfortunately, we have come across a circular issued by central office ref CO/PER/ER-A/070/2014 dated 12.05.2014 withdrawing some existing benefits in LTC, like travel to foreign destination and clause 8(iv) of LTC instructions,1994. 

The curtailment of existing benefits disappointed all the employees at a time when employees are seeking improvements and relaxation of rules in LTC scheme.

We, therefore, request your intervention in restoring the existing benefits by withdrawing the CO circular mentioned above.  We also hope that you will initiate the process for improvements in LTC scheme as being demanded by us.

(Please download the attachment - a letter addressed to Chairman of LIC on LTC Scheme.)

•     LetterToChairmanOnLTC.doc

Dear Comrades,

Please download the attached for Individual Premium Calculation Chart under new Floater Mediclaim Policy.

•     MED_PREM.xls

You are aware that AIIEA has been demanding improvements in our Mediclaim scheme.  Finally, LIC issued instructions introducing Family Floater Policy under Group Mediclaim Scheme. Please refer LIC circular nos. CO/PER/ER-1/058 dated 4th March, 2014 and CO/PER/ER-A/066/2014 dated 28th April, 2014 introducing and revising the limits of cover under Group Mediclaim Scheme.

The sum insured under compulsory family floater is enhanced to Rs. 3 lacs, 4 lacs and 6 lacs depending on the basic pay of the employee. The LIC will continue to give a subsidy of 75% premium on the basic sum insured i.e., compulsory floater cover. There is also provision wherein an employee can opt for increased sum insured on floater basis for different amounts ranging from 4 lacs to 20 lacs. However, the maximum sum insured including compulsory floater sum insured shall not exceed Rs. 20 lacs.  The instructions are clear in the above mentioned circulars about the benefits available and premiums charged. The new floater policy in respect of basic sum insured is made effective from 1.4.2014 and increased optional sum insured will be operative from 1st July, 2014. Please note that the last date to opt for increased floater cover is 31st May, 2014.

Employees are aware that in the present day circumstances the cost of hospitalization has increased manifold.  A broad observation of the premium rates for covering optional floater sum insured looks to be not too expensive.  As such, we suggest that the employees should carefully analyze needs of the family keeping in view the rising medical costs, the size and age group of the family, etc.  After the expiry of the last date for exercising the option for increased cover, there may not be further chance for option till next three years. Therefore, we advise all the employees to opt for increased sum insured to the maximum extent possible depending on their needs.

We are sure that all the employees will avail of this opportunity of exercising option for the increased cover to the maximum extent under the new family floater policy under Group Mediclaim .

•     opt_mediclaim.doc

Dear Comrades,

Please download the attached AIIPA Circular No.08/2014 dated 30^th April 2014.

•     AIIPA_Cir_08.14.doc

The working class across the world is in a big preparation to celebrate MAY DAY, the International Day of working class solidarity.  The May Day 2014 comes in the background of   unprecedented challenges for the global working class.  The capital has launched fiercest attack on the rights and lives of the working class across the world.   Therefore, May Day today is not an occasion to just recapitulate the glorious traditions and sacrifices associated with the movement of the working class, but it is an opportunity in real sense to reinvent the strategies to develop class struggles to push back the offensive of capital and to take the society towards peace, progress and equality. 
The global capitalism shows no signs of recovery from the depression in the aftermath of the financial meltdown in 2008.  It is one of the longest periods of crisis in the history of capitalism. The crisis has hugely impacted the life and living of the working class across the globe.  Unemployment levels are at an all-time high. The global youth unemployment is at a record level at a time when the world has the largest number of youth population in history. The crisis has pushed millions below the poverty levels.  The conservative estimates of the World Bank suggest that more than one billion people are living below the poverty levels today.
While the burden of this crisis is shifted on to the working class, the banks and financial institutions that were responsible for bringing this crisis are rewarded with huge public funds by the States. The billionaires continued to record massive increase in their wealth but the pensions and other social security benefits of the workers are attacked in the name of austerity.  Inequalities have registered massive increase both within the nations and between the nations. 
The Indian economy is also caught in this crisis.  The projected growth in agriculture has not taken place.  Industrial production is constantly on the decline.  The services sector has considerably slowed down. The neo-liberal policies pursued so vigorously in the past decade has heaped enormous burden on the working and toiling people.  The country is home to the largest number of poor, hungry and malnourished in the world. During this period the Indian State has been transferring the wealth and natural resources of the nation to the big corporate houses unabashed. While any scheme to give some relief to the common people is criticized, we are given sermons by the apologists of capitalism that the dole out to corporate houses should not be seen as cronyism as it helps the business environment and results in the growth of the economy.
This 2014 is a very important year for a large section of the global working class.  In this year, along with India, South Africa and Brazil will vote for new governments.  The discontent arising out of the economic crisis is being utilized by the right reactionary forces to consolidate in all the three countries. The outcome of these elections will largely shape the future of these countries.  The stakes are very high for the working class and therefore it should spare no effort to prevent the take-over of the States by the right reactionary forces.
The Indian democracy is under great threat today.  The parliamentary elections have been turned into a presidential form of election.  Narendra Modi is being projected as the saviour having solutions to the myriad problems of the nation. The Corporate world which sees in him a ruthless implementer of neo-liberalism has come out openly in his support. The projection of one individual on the pretext that India needs a strong leader can be good for the corporate sector but surely it will damage democracy and raises fear of dictatorship and emergence of fascism. Don’t we have the example of Germany and Italy which craved for a strong leader and exposed the world to the ruthlessness of fascism?  The deliberate attempts to polarize the nation on the basis of religion for the success of the savior chosen by the corporate sector have the potential to harm the unity and integrity of the nation.
The working class has to play an important role in defending secularism and national unity. They have to fight hard to prevent the take-over of the Indian State by the right reactionary forces. The Left alone is capable of fighting both neo-liberalism and communalism.   It must be remembered that parliamentary elections for the Left is a means of mobilizing the people and is not an end in itself.  The true strength of the Left lies in its capacity to wage class struggles. There cannot be any doubt the Left exerts larger influence in the Indian society through its struggle in comparison to its parliamentary strength. The global struggle of the working class cannot be confined to just resisting the attacks of capital. Capitalism can never be humane and it will always be ruthless in its pursuit of profits. 
This May Day, the working class must take serious steps to reinvent class struggles.  It is only through class struggle and its success that we can hope to reshape the world. AIIEA greets the entire working force across the globe on this glorious May Day.  AIIEA also extends its revolutionary greetings to the Indian Working Class and wishes all success in its struggle to defend the unity and integrity of the nation.

MAY DAY 2014 - OCCASION TO REINVENT CLASS STRUGGLES

The working class across the world is in a big preparation to celebrate MAY DAY, the International Day of working class solidarity. The May Day 2014 comes in the background of unprecedented challenges for the global working class. The capital has launched fiercest attack on the rights and lives of the working class across the world. Therefore, May Day today is not an occasion to just recapitulate the glorious traditions and sacrifices associated with the movement of the working class, but it is an opportunity in real sense to reinvent the strategies to develop class struggles to push back the offensive of capital and to take the society towards peace, progress and equality.

The global capitalism shows no signs of recovery from the depression in the aftermath of the financial meltdown in 2008. It is one of the longest periods of crisis in the history of capitalism. The crisis has hugely impacted the life and living of the working class across the globe. Unemployment levels are at an all-time high. The global youth unemployment is at a record level at a time when the world has the largest number of youth population in history. The crisis has pushed millions below the poverty levels. The conservative estimates of the World Bank suggest that more than one billion people are living below the poverty levels today.

While the burden of this crisis is shifted on to the working class, the banks and financial institutions that were responsible for bringing this crisis are rewarded with huge public funds by the States. The billionaires continued to record massive increase in their wealth but the pensions and other social security benefits of the workers are attacked in the name of austerity. Inequalities have registered massive increase both within the nations and between the nations.

The Indian economy is also caught in this crisis. The projected growth in agriculture has not taken place. Industrial production is constantly on the decline. The services sector has considerably slowed down. The neo-liberal policies pursued so vigorously in the past decade has heaped enormous burden on the working and toiling people. The country is home to the largest number of poor, hungry and malnourished in the world. During this period the Indian State has been transferring the wealth and natural resources of the nation to the big corporate houses unabashed. While any scheme to give some relief to the common people is criticized, we are given sermons by the apologists of capitalism that the dole out to corporate houses should not be seen as cronyism as it helps the business environment and results in the growth of the economy.

This 2014 is a very important year for a large section of the global working class. In this year, along with India, South Africa and Brazil will vote for new governments. The discontent arising out of the economic crisis is being utilized by the right reactionary forces to consolidate in all the three countries. The outcome of these elections will largely shape the future of these countries. The stakes are very high for the working class and therefore it should spare no effort to prevent the take-over of the States by the right reactionary forces.

The Indian democracy is under great threat today. The parliamentary elections have been turned into a presidential form of election. Narendra Modi is being projected as the saviour having solutions to the myriad problems of the nation. The Corporate world which sees in him a ruthless implementer of neo-liberalism has come out openly in his support. The projection of one individual on the pretext that India needs a strong leader can be good for the corporate sector but surely it will damage democracy and raises fear of dictatorship and emergence of fascism. Don’t we have the example of Germany and Italy which craved for a strong leader and exposed the world to the ruthlessness of fascism? The deliberate attempts to polarize the nation on the basis of religion for the success of the savior chosen by the corporate sector have the potential to harm the unity and integrity of the nation.

The working class has to play an important role in defending secularism and national unity. They have to fight hard to prevent the take-over of the Indian State by the right reactionary forces. The Left alone is capable of fighting both neo-liberalism and communalism. It must be remembered that parliamentary elections for the Left is a means of mobilizing the people and is not an end in itself. The true strength of the Left lies in its capacity to wage class struggles. There cannot be any doubt the Left exerts larger influence in the Indian society through its struggle in comparison to its parliamentary strength. The global struggle of the working class cannot be confined to just resisting the attacks of capital. Capitalism can never be humane and it will always be ruthless in its pursuit of profits.

This May Day, the working class must take serious steps to reinvent class struggles. It is only through class struggle and its success that we can hope to reshape the world. AIIEA greets the entire working force across the globe on this glorious May Day. AIIEA also extends its revolutionary greetings to the Indian Working Class and wishes all success in its struggle to defend the unity and integrity of the nation.

•     Cir_07_2014.doc

Premium rates for family floater policy & option for increased cover under group mediclaim scheme. Please download Circular No.CO/PER/ER-A/066/2014 Dated 28/04/2014 for more details.

•     ERA_066_28042014.pdf

विश्व मेहनतकशों के महान पर्व मई दिवस 2014 के मौके पर हम विश्व के मेहनतकश जनता के साथ-साथ भारत के मेहनतकशों, बीमा कर्मियों व मध्यक्षेत्र के समस्त बीमा कर्मियों को क्रांतिकारी शुभकामनायें प्रेषित करते हैं।

•     May_Day_Circular_2014.pdf

Dear Comrades,

Please download the attached AIIPA Circular No.07/2014 dated 24^th March 2014.

•     AIIPA_Cir.07.14.doc