The NDA government introduced the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2015 in the Lok Sabha on 3rd March 2015. The Bill was introduced violating all democratic and parliamentary processes. The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha that it is unconstitutional to introduce the Bill in Lok Sabha since it is pending consideration in that house. Similar objections were raised in the Lok Sabha also. But the government in its eagerness to please the foreign capital and the Indian corporate sector rejected these valid arguments and went ahead to introduce the Bill making mockery of the constitution, democracy and parliamentary processes. The government did not have it easy and the opposition forced a division and finally the government could introduce the Bill with 131 members supporting and 45 members opposing this measure. The voting pattern has shown that a large number of parties in the opposition are united in opposing this Bill and this clearly demonstrates the success of our campaign.
In the last 10 years the issue of FDI hike in insurance and the privatization of the public sector general insurance industry had occupied the centre stage of political discourse in the country like no other issue due to our campaign. This massive campaign could halt the offensive of the finance capital on the Indian economy and Public Sector for such a long period. It is unnecessary to once again speak of the adverse impact of the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill as they are too well known. But it must be understood that the attack on the public sector insurance industry and the Indian economy will not end with the FDI hike to 49 percent. More attacks are bound to come sooner than expected. The business tycoons like Chairman of the HDFC and representative of Kotak Mahindra who play a very important role in decision making processes of the government have now been clamouring for unlocking the value of LIC. In simple terms they are demanding the privatization of the most successful public sector financial institution. Therefore, it is necessary to lodge our strongest protest against this move of the government and to demonstrate our commitment to continue the campaign and struggle forward.
The working committee of the AIIEA and the 23rd General Conference at Nagpur had decided that the insurance employees must respond to this challenge by observing a nationwide one day strike on the day following the passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The AIIEA had to make a modification of this decision in view of the undemocratic and unconstitutional decision of the government in promulgating an Ordinance and introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha. Therefore, it is decided to observe the strike on the following day of the passage of the Bill in Lok Sabha.
The Bill is now stands passed in Lok Sabha on 4th March. Therefore, we request all the employees to observe ONE DAY strike on 9th March 2015 since 5th and 6th are holidays due to Holi Festival in different parts of the country and 7th is a Saturday. We are happy that Federation (AILICEF), NOIW and BVKS (Shiva Sena) have also decided to participate in the strike. Coordinated efforts must be made with these unions at local levels for the success of the strike.
We request all insurance employees to participate and make this strike successful to defend our industry and the national economy.
Download attachments: