Report on UNI-MEI South Asia Broadcasting Worker’s Workshop on Collective Bargaining from 24 to 26 Feb 2005 at COLOMBO SriLanka

 

By UMESH CHANDRA SHARMA (Additional Gen.Sec.)

 

 

As asked by Media Entertainment Sector of Union Network International (UNI-MEI) a delegation had to be sent to attend South Asia Broadcasting Worker’s Workshop on Collective Bargaining . President and Gen.Secy. selected a team including  Sh. Debashish Chowdhury, VP(TV), Sh. Umesh Chandra (Addl.G.S.), Sh. R.Raman, VP(SZ), Sh.J.P.Sengupta VP(EZ) and Sh. A J.D’souza, Org.Sec.(Maharashtra) representing the whole country. The Trip was fully sponsored by UNI. Unfortunately Sh. Debashish Chowdhury despite all his sincere efforts couldn’t got his passport formalities completed on time and couldn’t go there.

 

On 24th Feb the function was inaugurated by Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Srilanka. After inauguration Mr. Jim Wilson, Director UNI from Brusels enlighten the objective of the workshop and the issues to be taken up in the workshop. Mr. Aron Larson from Sweden explained the procedure and status of collective bargaining in his country. He also replied the questions related to the problems of media employees there. It was encouraging to listen that in Sweden employees got union contribution deducted from their salary automatically.

 

 

In the afternoon session Indian delegation was asked to present their country report. The report prepared by central office was presented by me and Mr. Raman. The presentation was consisting various issues like vast set up of All India Radio & Doordarshan, functional and environmental problems faced by staff, uncertainty caused by formation of  Prasar Bharati, threat of privatization, scarcity of funds, outsourcing etc  explained. Instruments available for collective bargaining as Central Govt. employee and as Prasar Bharati employees like Joint Consultative Mechanism various grievance redressel forums like LISCC, office council, departmental, national council and Tribunal for arbitration, National Federation (NFADE) etc were also explained. The Hon’ble Supreme verdict of snatching Employees right of going on Strike was also discussed. After presentation me and Mr. Raman replied the questions and queries of delegates of 12 countries. There was a group discussion also on our report. The interactive presentation, question / answers and performance took two hours (the max time allotted to any country) and was highly appreciated by all countries. As Mr. Jim Wilson said “India has made their presence felt”.

 

Second day Mr.Upali Arambwela, DGM Technical, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corp. (official TV Broadcaster of Srilanka) delivered a usefull lecture on “Effect of New Technology on Broadcasting”. In afternoon delegates were taken to visit Srilanka Broadcasting Corp. (SLBC) and Srilanka Rupavahini Corp. (SLRC). The visit was informative and useful.

 

 

 

 

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On the third day country reports of other countries like  Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Philipines, Malaysia, Thailand, Magolia etc. were presented. Brief group discussions were also took place. Then in final session all the delegate were mixed up in three subgroups and six groups. Between each subgroup there were two groups. Out of these two  one was made fictitious employee and another employer group. Employee groups were asked to finalize 10 of their demand to be fulfilled from employer and Employer group had to decide 5 demand which is be accepted  by employees. Fictitious negotiations were also conducted while the house was listening and efforts were made to reach to a collective agreement. This exercise gave a rare exposure and experience of collective bargaining. Interestingly I was on Employer side while Raman was representing employees. House enjoyed the negotiations between us. The whole exercise couldn’t be completed due to shortage of time. Sh. J.P.Sengupta VP(EZ) and Sh. Arthur also took active part and their participations was also appreciated.

 

 

 At last Mr. Jim Wilson also felt that the time was too short and schedule was very tight. The workshop ended with passing resolutions about grave situation and problems faced by Media Employees in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. On forth day me Raman and Mr. Sengupta flew back (Arthur has already left for Mumbai) with excellent experience, useful exposure and hectic but pleasant memories of the beautiful country that Srilanka is. My report will be incomplete without mentioning Mr. Jayasiri Priyalal, UNI APRO coordinator in Srilanka. His dedication and administrative skills have largely attributed to the success of the workshop. The Srilankan delegation headed by Mr. Dharamasiri Lankapeli, (Gen.Sec. FMETU) also actively participated and gave taste of true Srilankan hospitality to the delegates.

 

Before finishing I would like to share that Union Network Int. is global body which represents workers in 14 service sectors like bank, railways, industries etc, over 900 unions, and 15 million workers in 160 countries. Media Entertainment Int. is media, entertainment and arts sector of UNI. Being member of such large organization In case of urgency we can generate support of all these member countries. The pressure thus created can be crucial at time when even our survival is stake. It also give valuable experience and exposure which can be used in solving our problems. Most important is that all this is at no extra cost. Good bye.

 

                                                                        Yours

 

                                                                        UMESH CHANDRA (Addional Gen.Sec.)

                                                                        Email : umsharma01@yahoo.com

 

                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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