Category - News

The delegation of AIIEA consisting of Coms. K.Venu Gopal, Vice-President, V.Ramesh, General Secretary, Clement Das, Joint Secretary met Sri. S.K. Roy, Chairman, LIC today the 4th August, 2014 at Hyderabad.

The delegation pointed out to the Chairman regarding the inordinate delay in commencement of meaningful discussion on wage revision which is due to the employees from 1st August 2012 and employees are restive on this issue. The delegation demanded LIC management to commence negotiations and settle the wage revision at the earliest to the satisfaction of employees. The delegation also reiterated the demand for one more option on pension.

Responding, the Chairman stated that LIC management is seriously following up these two issues with government and informed that it is making all efforts to call unions at the earliest.      

This is for the information of all our units.

With greetings,

Comradely yours,
General Secretary

•     Chairman.doc

You are aware that the budget speech of the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley on 10th July, 2014 clearly laid a roadmap for further liberalisation of our economy.  In the budget, he also stated that the government would make all efforts to pass the Insurance Laws (Amendments) Bill 2008. 

Therefore, our units are requested to step up our campaign against the FDI hike and disinvestment of public sector general insurance companies by taking up following programmes of action immediately.

1. All our Divisional/Regional Units should obtain a minimum of 10 letters from prominent personalities like eminent lawyers, retired judges, doctors, professors, journalists and other such intellectual and influential persons. The letters should be addressed to the Finance Minister. The draft letter is enclosed. You may request these personalities to either send the same draft or with suitable changes as per their convenience.
2. These letters should be sent immediately without waiting for all the letters to be collected and sent together.
3. This campaign shall continue till the end of this budget session or till the Bill is taken up in the Parliament, whichever is earlier.
4. Press Meets to be conducted immediately and wherever possible the prominent personalities may also be involved in such meets.
5. As per the decision of general conference of AIIEA, if the Bill is passed, all our units shall observe ONE DAY strike, the following day.

We also would like to inform you that from AIIEA, letters are being sent to all the recognised political parties and central trade unions seeking their support to oppose the bill.  Efforts are also being made to involve all the Unions within the industry for a joint struggle including one day strike if the Bill is passed in the parliament.

With greetings,

Comradely yours,
General Secretary.

(For more details and draft letter to Finance Minister please download the attachments...)

•     DraftForZones.docx
•     ZonesOnCampaign.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 AIIEA Memorandum to the Candidates of various political parties contesting for 16th Loksabha Elections.

•     covrng_letter.doc
•     memorandum_to_the_candidates_of_various_political_parties.doc

Please find a letter addressed to the Chairman, LICI in the attachment.

Ramesh
General Secretary
AIIEA

•     lettr_to_chairman_on_promotion_eligibility_of_sweeper-cum-attendants.doc

Dear Comrades,

Please find a letter addressed to the management in the attachment.

•     aiiea_delegation_letter_to_management.docx

A delegation of AIIEA consisting of Com. Ramesh, Joint Secretary, AIIEA  and Clement Xavier Das, General Secretary of SCZIEF met Shri M.R. Kumar, ED (Personnel) who was on  an official  visit to Hyderabad on 8th January 2014.

The delegation discussed the issues of Wage Revision, One more option for Pension, Recruitment, Improvements in Mediclaim policy (including a floater policy and cashless treatment) and other issues including the residual RPTs issue.

ED (P) informed that LIC management is making all efforts with the Government to clinch the issue of one more option for Pension including the latest effort a week ago.

He also informed that recruitment process for Assistants is being worked out and the legal issues are being sorted out in this area.

He also informed that improvements in Mediclaim policy are being addressed and that the CO would be discussing with the insurer on this issue.

On the issue of wage revision, he said that LIC is  in touch with government on this issue for starting the discussion.

On the issue of residual RPTs, he informed that the issue will be reviewed further.

The issue relating to Asansol/Burdwan temporary employees was also discussed and the delegation also stressed upon the need for Class IV recruitment in the Northern Zone.

This is for your information.

V. Ramesh
Joint Secretary
AIIEA